Shoaib Akhtar-Mohsin Naqvi
A source close to the PCB said Akhtar, who resides in Islamabad, met Naqvi last week and the two spoke at length about cricket-related matters.
“Shoaib is in line to get a major posting but obviously when he met with the Chairman he had his own set of ideas and conditions through which he believes Pakistan cricket can be taken forward,” the source said.
Pakistan were beaten 3-0 in the series, suffering a first-ever clean sweep in a Test series on English soil. The PCB is therefore examining changes to its cricketing setup, including coaching and consultancy appointments, rather than restricting its response to the senior men’s team. Akhtar’s potential appointment comes as the PCB considers changes beyond the senior men’s team. The board is also exploring the possibility of bringing in foreign coaches and consultants following the departures of senior team fielding coach Shane McDermott and batting coach Ashley Noffke. The women’s national team is another area under review, with the PCB considering the appointment of a permanent long-term head coach. The proposed restructuring follows a difficult period for Pakistan cricket, particularly after the men’s team’s Test series in England. The result has increased scrutiny on the national side as well as the wider cricketing structure surrounding it. In the middle of the series, Pakistan sent back seven players, including Mohammed Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq, as well as head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. Mike Hesson was subsequently asked to fill the head coach role in the third Test.