Ramiz Raja missing from Asia Cup commentators’ panel

ISLAMABAD: The official broadcaster of the Asia Cup, Star Sports revealed a 19-member lineup of commentators for the upcoming tournament.

As per the announcement, the panel featured four former cricketers from host nation Pakistan and ten from India.

Meanwhile, the legendary Pakistani cricket captain and commentator Ramiz Raja was missing from the list of commentators for the upcoming tournament.

Among the Pakistani commentary team were Bazid Khan, Aamer Sohail, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis, while notable figures such as Ravi Shastri, Andy Flower, and Matthew Hayden were also set to commentate during the Asia Cup matches.

From champions in the field to champions on-air! 🙌🏻
Our panel of cricketing legends, analytical experts and inimitable broadcasters are set to elevate the #AsiaCup2023 action like never before. 😍

Tune-in to #AsiaCupOnStar
Aug 30 | 2 PM | Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/VOHaAbQQIF

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 18, 2023

However, it is pertinent to note that the Asian Cricket Council has yet to release the names of the commentators on its official website.

Raja had been away from commentary since September 2021 after he assumed the role of Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a three-year term. His return as a commentator took place during the Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka last month.

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Ramiz Raja and other PCB members were removed from their posts after just a year, and a 14-member management committee led by Najam Sethi was put in their place.

Raja is the fourth former Pakistani international cricketer to head the PCB, following Abdul Hafeez Kardar (1972-1977), Javed Burki (1994-1995), and Ijaz Butt (2008-2011). He had captained Pakistan in 18 Test matches and 12 ODIs, amassing 8,674 runs from 1984 to 1997.

Besides his cricket career, the 60-year-old has previously served as the PCB’s Chief Executive from 2003 to 2004 and has represented Pakistan on the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executives’ Committee.

Currently, he is a member of the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) World Cricket Committee. With a successful broadcasting career spanning cricket networks worldwide, Ramiz Raja is widely regarded as the voice of Pakistan cricket.

The Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, is set to kick off on August 30, with the final match slated for September 17.