Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has backtracked on his remarks directed at Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Moshin Naqvi following the loss against India. The Men in Blue extended their streak in T20 World Cup to 8-1 after securing a 61-run win in the IND vs PAK tie in Colombo. Following the loss, an infuriated Akhtar had allegedly called Naqvi an incompetent person who was at the helm of affairs. However, he has now claimed so otherwise.
Akhtar backtracks on jibe at PCB’s Naqvi
Speaking on a Pakistan news channel, Akhtar claimed that he had never wanted to target Naqvi and claimed that his remarks were aimed at the top brass who ran international cricket. The former Pakistan speedster claimed that the PCB chairman was a good person who genuinely wanted to help Pakistan cricket always. Akhtar accused the Indian media of twisting his words in a manner that it looked like he was targeting Naqvi.
“My comments were never aimed at Mohsin Naqvi. The remark about incompetence was not directed at him at all — it was meant for the top brass who run international cricket. Some Indian TV channels twisted my words. In the same programme, I even asked people not to say anything negative about Mohsin bhai, because I won’t tolerate that. I’ve always said he’s a good person who genuinely wants to help Pakistan cricket. But at the same time, he isn’t always given the right advice,” Akhtar said.
What Akhtar had said
Akhtar had launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its leadership, taking direct aim at chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Pakistan were outplayed in every department. After allowing India to post 175, they folded for 114 without putting up any resistance. Akhtar was particularly critical of senior players.
“Now one guy doesn’t even know he’s the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. How will the team run now? You’re saying one guy, you’ve made him a superstar, he can’t win a single match. You’ve made him a star who can’t win a single living match,” Akhtar said.
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