Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is once again in the headlines. He had previously called Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi “incompetent and illiterate,” but within 24 hours, he took a U-turn on his statement.
The matter is related to the Pakistan Cricket Board and the T20 World Cup.
Clarification on TV, says statement was distorted
In an interview on a Pakistani channel, Akhtar said that his words were misrepresented.
He clearly stated, “The words ‘incompetent’ and ‘jaahil’ (illiterate) that I used were not meant for Mohsin Naqvi brother. 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 program, 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.”
Akhtar also added that his anger was only due to the U-turn taken on the stand taken against India in the T20 World Cup.
He said, “I am angry with him because 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 did Shoaib Akhtar say earlier?
Earlier in an interview, Akhtar had used very strong words.
He had said, “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? Do you know what the biggest crime in the world is? Giving a big job to an incompetent and illiterate person.”
He also spoke openly about the players of Pakistan team. “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.”
Finally, he questioned the entire system, saying, “Everyone is to be blamed for this—myself, the cricket board, the media, everyone. We picked the wrong people, made them stars. We did not invest in cricketing infrastructure.”
Currently, after this statement, the atmosphere in Pakistan cricket is heated and discussions are continuing.
