Rameez Raja resigns

Rameez Raja, the former Test opener, has resigned as the chief executive officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board. He cited increasing media commitments as the reason for his decision. In view of the long season ahead, Rameez thought "it was only fair the PCB gets a full-time CEO now".

Speaking to Wisden Cricinfo from Galle, where he is commentating on the Test between Sri Lanka and South Africa, he said: "It was time for me to move. I always made it clear to the board that my media career was important to me."

Rameez said he had communicated his decision to the PCB before the Asia Cup. Though his resignation has not yet been formally accepted, Rameez added that he was unlikely to change his mind: "My decision is final."

One of the PCB's longest-serving officials, Rameez played 57 Tests and 198 one-day internationals between 1983-84 and 1996-97. He scored 11 international centuries, and was part of the World Cup-winning team in 1992.

Rameez had come in for plenty of criticism for his dual role as a television commentator and administrator during the recent Indian tour of Pakistan, but denied that this had anything to do with his resignation. "No, such criticism doesn't really bother me," he said. "People will always find something to write."

Without saying as much, Rameez hinted that he was leaving Pakistan cricket in a better state. "I'm happy with the state of Pakistan cricket. They have hired a professional coach and things are beginning to turn around. The systems are in place. I am leaving Pakistan cricket in a good condition."

Rameez added that on-field results were not the best way to judge an administrator. "Unlike cricketers, cricket administrators should not be judged only by results on the field. Instead they should be judged by the systems they put in place and the development work they do. On those counts, Pakistan cricket has moved in recent times and I am happy."