Rameez Raja resigns as PCB CEO

The chief executive of Pakistan Cricket Board Rameez Raja has resigned from the post citing his commitments as a TV commentator in the busy season ahead.

Raja's resignation has been accepted by PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan.

Sources close to Raja, currently in Sri Lanka to commentate on the Test series between Sri Lanka and South African for Ten Sports, said he had conveyed his decision to Shaharyar on phone on Friday and the PCB chief had accepted it.

A former captain, Raja had been under the scanner for quite some time for his dual role as a commentator and top  boss of the PCB.

It was an open secret that Raja was finding it tough to devote time for the day-to-day affairs of the Board which were mostly looked after by Shaharyar. Logistically it was proving to be problem for the PCB chief as he resides in Karachi while the PCB is headquartered at Lahore.

Till now Raja, appointed as CEO in 2003, had defended his dual jobs saying his post in PCB was an honorary one while he made a living as TV commentator.

Some Pakistan players, during this year's India-Pakistan series, had observed that some of Raja's criticism of the team as a TV commentator were not in good taste.

Raja has a busy season ahead as a commentator. After his Sri Lankan assignment, he will be commentating for several domestic and international series including the ICC Champions Trophy.

Sources in Islamabad said Shaharyar is strongly considering  appointing former Pakistan medium pacer and selector Salim Altaf to succeed Raja.