Shoaib Akhtar dismissed speculation about his potential to join the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as an active member of the board, dismissing speculation that he might be part of the board under Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Some social media posts had claimed that Akhtar was being considered for the Pakistan team’s chief selector position. There were also reports that the former pacer had met Naqvi on a possible role in Pakistan cricket. Akhtar has denied such claims.
On a PTV sports programme, Akhtar said he is in Houston and has not met with PCB chairman Naqvi, and he has not been able to meet with the PCB chairman for some time. He also said he has no interest in getting a position with the board.
“I am in Houston these days. There is no truth to these reports, nor have I had any meetings. I am not interested at all. I stand by my statement,” said Akhtar.
🚨 SHOAB AKHTAR RESPONDS TO PCB RUMOURS. 🚨
— Talha Khan (@CallMeTalhaK) October 2, 2026
“No truth in these news. I have had no meeting, and I am not interested at all in joining the board.”
— PTV Sports pic.twitter.com/GNoUlLqiPk
The former Pakistan speedster also denied claims that he had asked for money in connection with a potential PCB position. “Such reports are false and have no basis.”
“I have been hearing reports that I am taking up a major position and that I have asked for money, but all of this is fake,” he said.
Akhtar’s recent comments are consistent with his earlier comments about staying away from PCB. The former cricketer has also spoken about advice given to him by his late mother who told him to avoid both Pakistani politics and the cricket board.
"My mother told me before she passed away that don’t ever get into Pakistan politics, and secondly, stay away from the Pakistan Cricket Board,” Akhtar had said earlier on television.
In spite of his refusal of a PCB job, Akhtar said he would like to see Pakistan cricket improve. His comments suggest that he is interested in the progress of the national team but he does not want to join the board’s official setup.
The conjecture on Akhtar’s potential appointment had generated great interest among Pakistan cricket fans after the PCB was looking at some of the prominent former players for important positions after reports in newspapers that the PCB was looking at them.
His name instantly went viral on social media as he is well-known in Pakistan cricket and has been vocal about his thoughts on Pakistan cricket.
However, Akhtar’s clarification leaves little ambiguity about his position. He has denied meeting Naqvi, denied the reports of a possible appointment and reiterated that he is not interested in joining PCB.
For now, the former ‘Rawalpindi Express’ seems set to continue his involvement in cricket through analysis and commentary rather than taking an official administrative role in Pakistan cricket.
