Star Sports, the official broadcaster for the upcoming Asia Cup, has unveiled a prominent 19-member commentators’ panel for the anticipated tournament. While the list includes four former cricketers from host nation Pakistan and ten from India, the absence of legendary Pakistan cricket captain and commentator Ramiz Raja has caught attention.
The commentators’ panel from Pakistan boasts notable figures such as Bazid Khan, Aamer Sohail, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis. On the other hand, the Indian contingent includes well-known names like Ravi Shastri, Andy Flower, and Matthew Hayden, among others, who are set to provide insights during the Asia Cup.
Interestingly, the Asian Cricket Council is yet to formally publish the list of commentators on its website.
Ramiz Raja’s absence from the lineup is notable. The former cricket captain and renowned commentator had taken a hiatus from commentary duties since September 2021 after being elected as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a three-year term. He made his comeback as a commentator during the Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka last month.
Raja’s tenure as the PCB chairman, however, was short-lived. Along with other PCB members, he was removed from the position after just a year, subsequently replaced by a 14-member management committee led by Najam Sethi.
Ramiz Raja is a revered figure in Pakistan cricket. He was the 18th Test and 12th ODI captain for Pakistan and participated in 255 international matches, amassing 8,674 runs between 1984 and 1997. Apart from his on-field achievements, he has served as the PCB’s Chief Executive from 2003 to 2004 and represented Pakistan on the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee. He continues to contribute to the cricket world by being part of the MCC World Cricket Committee.
Known as the voice of Pakistan cricket, Ramiz Raja has been a successful commentator with leading cricket networks worldwide.
The Asia Cup, set to take place in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, is scheduled to commence on August 30, with the final match slated for September 17. The tournament’s schedule includes group stage and super 4s matches, with a total of 16 games that promise to captivate cricket fans across the region.
