Less than 24 hours after blasting Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi on live television, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar appeared to soften his stance following Pakistan’s 61-run defeat to India in the T20 World Cup.
Akhtar had expressed strong frustration after Pakistan suffered their eighth loss in nine T20 World Cup clashes against India — a result that left the 2009 champions staring at another group-stage exit. During an interaction with an Indian TV channel, he had remarked, “The biggest crime in the world is giving an incompetent guy the biggest job. When an incompetent and jaahil [ignorant] person is given a big job, chaos and damage are inevitable.”
However, speaking to ARY News a day later, Akhtar clarified that his comments were not directed at Naqvi and claimed they had been misinterpreted.
“My comments were never aimed at Mohsin Naqvi. The remark about incompetence was not directed at him — it was meant for the top brass who run international cricket. Some Indian TV channels twisted my words,” Akhtar said. He also maintained that during the same programme, he had asked viewers not to criticise Naqvi.
Akhtar further added that Naqvi intends to reform Pakistan cricket but is not receiving proper guidance. “Mohsin Naqvi is a good man and wants to do good work. But he doesn’t get the right advice. He is the most powerful man in Pakistan cricket, yet he is not choosing the right people for team selection,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will take on Namibia in their final group-stage match on Wednesday at the SSC Stadium in Colombo. Namibia, who registered wins over the USA and the Netherlands before losing heavily to India, remain in contention. Pakistan must secure a victory to keep their hopes of reaching the Super 8 stage alive.
