``I am being criticised because they (critics and media) know my relationship and the respect I have for Majid Khan (chief executive, PCB),'' Ramiz Raja, normally a soft-spoken man, said in an unusually strong interview here on Tuesday.
``As far as the media is concerned, I am least bothered about them because I know they are biased. They (media) cannot do anything and this I have learnt from my experience,'' Ramiz Raja said, adding: ``A section of Press (Karachi) is specially very hostile.''
The Pakistan captain stated that he was the target of criticism ``just for the sake of criticism.'' He added that he was being attacked because the critics wanted to prove that Majid Khan's decision of appointing him captain was wrong.
``In particular, Hasib Ahsan has been very aggressive. I feel that his statements are anti-Pakistan. At this age, he should be a little more objective,'' said the 34-year-old Raja.
Raja, a business administration master by qualification, said he was not trying to step in the shoes of Imran Khan or Majid Khan who have openly criticised the Karachi Press. ``I am fed up reading every day that I am being attacked by one or the other. I don't mind constructive criticism but if is to settle accounts with Majid Khan, then it is not acceptable. It is not the performance which normally triggers a diatribe.''
Ramiz Raja has led Pakistan in five Tests losing two and winning one. In 15 one-day internationals, Raja's team emerged winners on six occasions, losing eight with one match against India in Sri Lanka being washed out. Ramiz Raja claimed that he deserved to be the captain of the Pakistan cricket team. ``I have all the ingredients that are required to be a leader,'' he emphasised, adding: ``Most of all, my achievements and experience are no secrets.''
Raja stressed that he has mostly led the team outside Pakistan and there he was showered with praise. ``In India and Sri Lanka, I was appreciated for projecting a good picture of the country as well as of the team. But here (in Pakistan), I am criticised because some think that I don't deserve to be in the team and some say I am given undue favours by the PCB chief executive.''
Raja admitted that this stigma will now remain throughout his career. ``I know that I will be labelled as Majid Khan's boy but I am least concerned. I know my abilities and I enjoy cricket and leading Pakistan.''
Raja claimed that despite being a target of the critics and the media, he was under no pressure. ``To tell you the truth, I have now started enjoying cricket even more.
``If the team starts winning and I start getting big scores, the intensity of the hostility will be reduced but it will not finish.'' Asked what are the basic ingredients needed to be a captain in his books, Raja said: ``The individual should be decent enough, a model for others, should lead from the front and produce positive results. ``But sadly, the previous set-ups have given importance just to only one factor - how big a player was. Honestly, it has done no good to the image of the team and the country.''
Raja said he was happy with whatever he was getting. ``I am not a firm believer of the theory that a captain should be appointed for the whole season. If the team starts losing, then what happens? I support the logic of appointment on series-by-series basis.''