Shoaib Akhtar relishes prospect of new role in PCB; says structure of Pakistan cricket needs improvement

Pakistan's former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is relishing the prospect of playing a role in improving the country's cricket structure.

PTI, Feb,19 2018

Karachi: Pakistan's former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is relishing the prospect of playing a role in improving the country's cricket structure.

After the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that chairman Najam Sethi had appointed Akhtar his advisor on cricket affairs and brand ambassador, the pacer said he would do his best.

"I am really happy to be given this position because I have always wanted to do something for Pakistan cricket. We have great talent but a structure that needs improvement," he said.

File image of Shoaib Akhtar. AFP

File image of Shoaib Akhtar. AFP

The PCB chief is also expected to announce former captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, as another advisor on cricket.

Akhtar said that he had accepted the position because he felt that Sethi sincerely wanted to do good for Pakistan cricket and the success of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was proof of this.

Akhtar, who has been a staunch critic of the cricket structure, said it was good if former players were involved in helping the board improve the system.

Sethi, while announcing Akhtar's appointment said he had taken the decision because the fast bowler was a big name in international cricket and had good knowledge of the game.

Interestingly, the PCB, while appointing Akhtar, has not extended the contracts of former greats Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja as brand ambassadors of the PSL.

Sethi said that since all franchises of the PSL had appointed their own brand ambassadors there was no need for the board to have PSL brand ambassadors.

Akhtar, during his playing days, was always at loggerheads with the board on disciplinary issues and also faced bans and fines.

But after Sethi took over as chairman, he ordered the board to repay Akhtar PKR 7 million, which were deducted by the PCB on the recommendations of a disciplinary hearing sometime back.

Published Date: Feb 19, 2018 | Updated Date: Feb 19, 2018




Rank Team Points Rating
1 India 5313 121
2 South Africa 4484 115
3 Australia 4174 104
4 New Zealand 3489 100
5 England 4829 99
6 Sri Lanka 4374 95
Rank Team Points Rating
1 India 7594 122
2 South Africa 6911 117
3 England 6871 116
4 New Zealand 6550 115
5 Australia 6376 112
6 Pakistan 4877 96
Rank Team Points Rating
1 Pakistan 3272 126
2 Australia 2345 123
3 India 3547 122
4 New Zealand 2940 118
5 West Indies 2538 115
6 England 2402 114