Ramiz Raja 'Disappointed' With ECB As They Pull Out Of Pakistan Tour Citing 'Mental & Physical Well Being'

ECB had agreed to play two T20 World Cup warm-up games in October, along with a short women's tour. Both these tours have been canceled citing the "mental and physical well-being" of players. 

In an unprecedented development, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has "reluctantly" decided to pull out of the Pakistan tour set to be played in October. This comes as a big setback for Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as New Zealand, too decided to pull out of the Pakistan tour last week. 

Ramiz Raja, PCB's newly appointed chief expressed his disappointment after ECB's withdrawal from the series. ECB had agreed to play two T20 World Cup warm-up games in October, along with a short women's tour. Both these tours have been cancelled citing the "mental and physical well-being" of players. 

Ramiz Raja, in a social media statement, said, "Disappointed with England, pulling out of their commitment & failing a member of their Cricket fraternity when it needed it most. Survive we will inshallah." He said that the Pakistan cricket team will have to up their game. "A wake-up call for Pak team to become the best team in the world for teams to line up to play them without making excuses," he added. 

Raja's statement came minuted after ECB's statement, which read: "The ECB has a longstanding commitment to tour Pakistan as part of the Men's Future Tours Programme in 2022. Earlier this year, we agreed to play two additional T20 World Cup warm-up games in Pakistan in October, adding a short women's tour with double headers alongside the men's games. The ECB Board convened this weekend to discuss these extra England Women's and Men's games in Pakistan and we can confirm that the Board has reluctantly decided to withdraw both teams from the October trip."

The ECB also mentioned the reason for withdrawing from the tour, they said: "The mental and physical well-being of our players and support staff remains our highest priority and this is even more critical given the times we are currently living in. 

The ECB, later also added that PCB's "support of English and Welsh cricket over the last two summers has been a huge demonstration of friendship.  We are sincerely sorry for the impact this will have on cricket in Pakistan and emphasise an ongoing commitment to our main touring plans there for 2022."