Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has dismissed reports linking him with the role of chief selector of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, saying he has no interest in taking up any position with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Popularly known as the Rawalpindi Express, Akhtar addressed the reports during a live programme on PTV Sports. The anchor reminded Shoaib of his earlier comments that his mother had advised him to stay away from the PCB and Pakistani politics.
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Akhtar said there was no truth to the reports and that he intended to follow his mother’s advice. He also denied reports that he had met PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi over a potential role with the board.
“There is no such thing, and all that is being said is speculative. I stand by my statement, and I am going to stick to that advice,” Akhtar said.
The former pacer said he wanted to see Pakistan cricket improve but had no intention of joining the PCB.
“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. I just want the betterment of Pakistan cricket,” he added.
Akhtar also said he had not held any discussions with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi regarding the reported role. He is currently in Houston on a private visit.
The reports emerged amid speculation of a major overhaul of Pakistan’s coaching and selection setup. The PCB has made several changes to the team’s leadership and support staff in recent years, with captains, coaches and selectors all being replaced at different stages.
‘MANY OTHER WAYS TO SERVE PAKISTAN CRICKET’
Akhtar, who played 46 Tests, 163 ODIs and 15 T20Is for Pakistan, said he still wants to contribute to the country’s cricket but does not believe he needs to formally join the PCB to do so.
“I would love to serve Pakistan cricket, but I think I can do it in many other ways,” he said.
Earlier, reports in the Pakistani media claimed that Akhtar had met Naqvi for detailed discussions about the national team and ways to improve its fortunes.
The reports also suggested that the relationship between Akhtar and Naqvi had improved in recent months. Naqvi was said to have reached out to the former pacer following the death of his elder brother.
However, Akhtar’s latest comments have put those reports to rest, with the former Pakistan pacer making it clear that he is not interested in taking up the chief selector’s role.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
