പാകിസ്ഥാൻ ക്രിക്കറ്റ് ബോർഡിലെ ചീഫ് സെലക്ടർ സ്ഥാനത്തേക്ക് താൻ എത്തുന്നെന്ന വാർത്തകൾ തള്ളി ഷുഹൈബ് അക്തർ. പിസിബിയുമായി അകലം പാലിക്കണമെന്ന അമ്മയുടെ ഉപദേശം താൻ ഇപ്പോഴും പിന്തുടരുന്നുണ്ടെന്നും, പ്രചരിക്കുന്ന വാർത്തകൾ അടിസ്ഥാനരഹിതമാണെന്നും അദ്ദേഹം വ്യക്തമാക്കി. നിലവിൽ ഹ്യൂസ്റ്റണിലുള്ള താൻ ബോർഡുമായി യാതൊരു ചർച്ചയും നടത്തിയിട്ടില്ലെന്നും അക്തർ കൂട്ടിച്ചേർത്തു.
During a live TV programme on a Pakistani channel, the anchor reminded Akhtar that the pacer had once said that his mother had told him to stay away from the PCB and Pakistani politics.
When Akhtar was asked point-blank on PTV Sports about the ongoing reports, the former Pakistan star said, “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.”
“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 pointed out that he hasn't had any discussion with the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB, as he's currently in Houston on a private visit. It is worth mentioning that over the last few years, the PCB has not shied away from making changes, and several captains, coaches, and selectors have been replaced.
“I would love to serve Pakistan cricket, but I think I can do it in many other ways," Akhtar said.
Earlier, the reports in Pakistani media claimed that Akhtar had met PCB chairman Naqvi for detailed discussions regarding the national team and how the fortunes could be changed. The media reports also stated that the relations between Naqvi and Akhtar improved with the latter reaching out to the former Pakistan pacer following the death of his elder brother.
The reports also claimed that relations between Akhtar and Naqvi had improved in recent months, with the latter reaching out to Akhtar following the death of the former pacer’s elder brother.