Watch: Old Video Of Ramiz Raja Claiming 'Pakistan Cricket Can Collapse Without India's Support' Goes Viral

Ramiz Raja (Source: Twitter)

Cricket ties between India and Pakistan were severed on Tuesday when Indian Cricket Board secretary and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Jay Shah announced that the Men in Blue will not travel across the border for the Asia Cup 2023. Instead, he stated that the continental tournament will be held at a neutral venue. The decision was made at the 91st Annual General Meeting in Mumbai.

"The Asia Cup 2023 will be held at a neutral venue. I am saying this as ACC President. We can't go there , they can't come here. In the past also, Asia Cup has been played at a neutral venue," said Shah.

The Pakistan cricket fraternity reacted angrily, arguing that they should also reconsider travelling to India for the World Cup, which is scheduled to take place next year. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also expressed disappointment in an official statement issued earlier on Wednesday afternoon.

Amid the ongoing controversy, however, an old video of PCB president Ramiz Raja is making the rounds on social media. Raja can be heard in the video explaining the significance of India's influence in world cricket before adding that Pakistan cricket will 'collapse' without their support.

"Pakistan Cricket Board runs 50 per cent on ICC funds. ICC funding is such that they organise tournaments and they distribute the money among their member boards. And Indian market contributes 90 per cent to that ICC funds. So Indian business houses are running Pakistan cricket and if tomorrow the Indian Prime Minister decides he will not allow any funding to Pakistan, this cricket board can collapse," Raja said in the video.

Here is Ramiz Raja's Video

#AsiaCup2023

Random Pakistanis on social media We'll boycott WC 2023

Meanwhile PCB chairman - pic.twitter.com/KFO6Kp1y45

— Cricket troll corner (@adityaraj2kfrek) October 18, 2022

In the meantime, India is all set to face off against Pakistan in the 20-20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on the 23rd of October. The last time these two arch-rivals met in World Cup, Pakistan thrashed India by 10 wickets. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam were the stars of the chase.