Pakistan pace legend Shoaib Akhtar made a dramatic U-turn within 24 hours of criticising Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, after initially calling him “incompetent and illiterate” during an appearance on Indian television.

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Speaking on ABP News, Akhtar had questioned Naqvi’s suitability for the PCB’s top job, suggesting that appointing someone without cricketing knowledge to such a position was damaging for the team.

“If you make me the chairman of a channel, how would I know how to run it? Now there is a person who does not know, and he is the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. So what can be done? How will the team function like this?” Akhtar had said.

He went further, adding: “Do you know what the biggest crime in the world is? Giving a big job to an incompetent and illiterate person.”

However, in a subsequent appearance on Pakistan’s ARY News, the former fast bowler attempted to walk back his remarks. Struggling to clarify his stance, Akhtar claimed his comments had been taken out of context.

“The words ‘incompetent’ and ‘jaahil’ were not meant for Mohsin Naqvi bhai. It may have looked that way. I was speaking in a broader context — that such people can damage institutions. My hint was not towards Mohsin Naqvi but towards the top brass running international cricket,” he said, while repeatedly fumbling during the explanation.

Akhtar insisted that the channel had twisted his remarks and emphasised that Naqvi “is a good guy” who wants to help Pakistan cricket but lacks proper guidance.

Despite the attempted clarification, Akhtar admitted he remains upset with Naqvi — not over his administrative ability, but over what he described as a U-turn on the boycott stance against India during the T20 World Cup.

“I am angry because he took a stand but did not stick with it. The entire community was backing him. He could have consulted me before taking the U-turn,” Akhtar said.

Shoaib Akhtar on Babar and Shaheen

During the same interview, Akhtar also criticised Pakistan’s star players following the defeat to India.

He questioned Babar Azam’s suitability in T20 cricket, suggesting the former captain is ineffective outside the opening slot.

“Babar will not deliver unless you play him as an opener. He is of no use in the middle order. This format is not made for him,” Akhtar said.

He also raised concerns over Shaheen Afridi’s fitness, claiming the left-arm pacer is struggling to cross 125 kmph.

“Shaheen is not fit. He is not able to bowl over 125 kmph. Shadab is also an unusual choice. I don’t understand it. We are not compatible against India. They are playing a brand of cricket that is 50 years ahead of us.”

In a moment of self-reflection, Akhtar admitted collective responsibility for Pakistan’s struggles.

“Everyone is to blame — myself, the cricket board, the media, everyone. We picked the wrong people and made them stars. We did not invest in proper cricketing infrastructure.”