New Delhi: Former Pakistan pace sensation Shoaib Akhtar, known for his fiery temperament on and off the field, has made a dramatic U-turn just 24 hours after labelling Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi as “unfit” and “illiterate” in a candid interview.
In his initial outburst on ABP News, Akhtar expressed his frustration with the PCB’s handling of recent setbacks, particularly Pakistan’s losses in major tournaments, without holding back. He highlighted Naqvi’s reversal on boycotting matches against India during the T20 World Cup, a decision that had initially garnered widespread support from the cricket fraternity. “The entire community backed the boycott, but they changed it,” Akhtar fumed, according to reports.
The ‘Rawalpindi Express’ clarified his stance the very next day while appearing as an expert on a Pakistani news channel. “My words were presented incorrectly. The terms ‘unfit’ and ‘illiterate’ were not for any specific individual but indicated major problems in cricket administration,” he explained. Akhtar added that poor advice hinders Naqvi’s genuine desire to improve Pakistan cricket.
Expanding on the team’s woes, Akhtar critiqued key players. He opined that Captain Babar Azam is mismatched for the T20 format in the middle order and should open instead. On quick bowler Shaheen Afridi, he noted, “Shaheen is not fully fit right now, and his bowling doesn’t have the same pace as before.”
Akhtar spread the blame widely, holding the PCB, media, and ex-players accountable for failing to nurture talent and bolster infrastructure. With Pakistan facing elimination risks after defeats, including to arch-rivals India, his comments underscore the deepening crisis in the nation’s cricket setup.