Shoaib Akhtar: “I will not deny it. Yes, I have had some discussions with the board and I am interested in playing a major role in Pakistan cricket. But nothing is decided as yet”
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Legendary Pakistan seamer Shoaib Akhtar has confirmed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approached him to take over a major role, which is likely to be that of the chief selector.
Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq is the chief selector at the moment, but following the recent tour of England, rumours began circulating that both roles were becoming too much of a burden on him.
Akhtar said he has held discussions with the PCB and is “interested in playing a major role in Pakistan cricket”.
However, he stressed that “nothing is decided as yet”.
“I will not deny it. Yes, I have had some discussions with the board and I am interested in playing a major role in Pakistan cricket. But nothing is decided as yet,” Akhtar said YouTube show Cricket Baaz as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
“I live a very comfortable life…I played cricket on my terms but now I have settled down. But I am ready to leave this comfort and try to put my neck on the line for the PCB. I am not afraid others give advice. I will give time if the opportunity arises.”
Should he become chief selector, Akhtar made it clear that he will select players who have an aggressive approach and mindset.
“I am ready to get in the line of fire. I will do it because I want to play a role in creating a pool of players from the new generation who play with an aggressive mindset and without fear of failure,” he said. “We need to start having players who have same mindset that our greats like Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram or Mushtaq Muhammad had.”
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