Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has firmly shut down reports suggesting he was in line to take over as the new chief selector for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Addressing the rumors during an appearance on PTV Sports, the legendary pacer described all such claims as speculative and untrue, confirming he has no interest in accepting an administrative or managerial position within the board.
”There is no such thing, and all that is being said is speculative,” Akhtar said. “There is no truth to these claims. I am not at all interested in going to the PCB. I stand by my statement. I am hearing all this news about taking on the role of chief selector. This is all fake, and there is no truth to such claims.”
Honoring Mother’s Advice
When asked about his long-held stance on staying away from sports politics, Akhtar reiterated that he intends to abide by the advice given to him by his late mother.
”Look, my mother told me to stay away from Pakistan politics and the PCB, and I am going to stick to that advice,” he added, emphasizing that his decision remains final despite ongoing speculations about board restructuring.
Open to Helping Outside Administration
Speculation regarding Akhtar’s appointment grew after reports claimed he had met with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to discuss potential measures to rebuild the national setup following recent string of poor performances.
While acknowledging that Pakistan cricket requires improvement, the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ clarified that he prefers to assist from outside official administrative channels:
- No Interest in Official Board Roles: Akhtar explicitly rejected accepting formal positions like chief selector or team director.
- Commitment to Pakistan Cricket: He reiterated his desire to see the national team succeed, stating, “I would love to serve Pakistan cricket, but I think I can do it in many other ways.”
In addition to management speculation, the PCB continues to review its operational structure, including plans to appoint a permanent, long-term head coach for the women’s national team following recent struggles.
