Reports: PCB axe Ramiz Raja following humiliating series whitewash against England

PCB chief Ramiz Raja has been sacked from his position, according to reports coming out from the Pakistani camp. Former PCB chief Najaf Sethi has been reappointed, replacing the former cricketer. The news comes just a day after Pakistan's embarrassing series whitewash at home at the hands of England.

Ramiz Raja's position came under scrutiny after his comments on the pitch after the series opener against England. Speculations were rife that a lobby had launched a campaign against the former cricketer for his removal from the board. The rumors picked up after former PCB chief Najaf Sethi had apparently met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore to discuss his reappointment.

It is worth noting that Sethi, the new chairman, resigned from his post after former Pakistani skipper Imran Khan took oath as the Prime Minister of the country in 2018. Imran's arrival to power was marked by the appointment of Ramiz Raja as the new PCB chairman in 2021. However, the Pakistani team has lacked direction in recent times, losing two finals (Asia Cup and T20 World Cup), followed by a damaging clean sweep at home at the hands of England.

Raja's post came under threat after Imran Khan's departure as the Prime Minister of the country, however, the former cricketer managed to retain his position as the head of the country's cricket regulatory body. His war of words with the BCCI has not helped his case either, as he threatened to pull out of next year's 50-over World Cup in India if the venue of the 2023 Asia Cup was moved away from Pakistan.

Najaf Sethi, who left his post in 2018, has been credited for laying the foundation of the globally successful Pakistan Super League in 2015.