Less than 24 hours after launching a scathing attack on Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Shoaib Akhtar dramatically altered his stance, insisting his words had been misunderstood and misdirected.
Appearing on ARY News, the former Pakistan fast bowler attempted to distance Naqvi personally from the criticism that had sparked controversy across cricket circles.
Akhtar clarifies remarks on ARY News
While speaking on ARY News, Akhtar said his earlier comments were never intended as a direct attack on the PCB chairman. He stated, “The words ‘incompetent and jaahil (illiterate)’ that I used were not meant for Mohsin Naqvi bhai. It looked like I said those words for him. The incompetency topic I spoke about was from a broader perspective: that such a person can destroy any institution. My hint was not towards Mohsin Naqvi but the top brass that is running international cricket. But the television channel twisted it. In the same programme, I also said that we should not say wrong things about Mohsin Naqvi, he is a good guy. He wants to help Pakistan cricket but does not get the right advice.”
The clarification came after his initial remarks on an Indian television channel triggered backlash. On ARY News, Akhtar maintained that the context of his criticism had been broader, framing it as a systemic concern rather than a personal indictment.
However, he acknowledged that he remained frustrated with Naqvi — though for a different reason. Explaining his position further on ARY News, he added, “I am angry with him as he took a stand but did not stick with it. The entire community was with him. He could have asked me about taking the U-turn.”
What Akhtar said on ABP News
The controversy stemmed from Akhtar’s earlier appearance on ABP News, where his assessment of the PCB leadership was far more direct.
Speaking on ABP News, he questioned Naqvi’s suitability for the chairman’s role, saying, “If you make me the chairman of a channel, how would I know how to run it? Now there is a person who does not know, and he is the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. So what can be done now? How will the team function like this?”
He intensified the criticism during the same appearance, adding, “Do you know what the biggest crime in the world is? Giving a big job to an incompetent and illiterate person.”
Those comments quickly gained traction, placing the PCB chief at the centre of a public debate over leadership and direction within Pakistan cricket.
Broader concerns over Pakistan cricket
Beyond administrative criticism, Akhtar also addressed Pakistan’s on-field struggles, particularly after the team’s defeat to India in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
On ARY News, he assessed the performances of senior players, stating, “Shaheen is not fit. He is not able to bowl over 125 kmph. Secondly, Babar Azam is not going to deliver until you play him as an opener. He is of no use in the middle order. This format is not made for him. Shadab is also an unusual choice, I do not understand it. I do not think we are compatible against India. They are playing a cricket that is 50 years ahead of us.”
The former pacer widened the lens further, arguing that the problems extended beyond individuals. Offering a sweeping critique of the cricketing ecosystem, he said, “Everyone is to be blamed for this – myself, the cricket board, media, everyone. We picked the wrong people, made them stars. We did not invest in cricketing infrastructure.”
A swift reversal under scrutiny
Akhtar’s rapid shift in tone — from blunt condemnation on ABP News to measured clarification on ARY News — has drawn significant attention. While he insists his original remarks were taken out of context, the contrast between the two appearances underscores the pressure surrounding Pakistan cricket’s leadership and recent performances.
The episode adds another chapter to the ongoing scrutiny of the PCB’s direction, with Akhtar’s comments reflecting both personal frustration and deeper questions about governance, team selection and long-term planning within Pakistan cricket.
