 "Shoaib Akhtar has taken a rapid U-turn on Mohsin Naqvi criticism. Image: AFP")
Pakistan cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar has now clarified his remarks about Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi after his earlier comments created a big controversy. After Pakistan’s heavy defeat to India in the T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo, Akhtar appeared on an Indian news channel for discussions, where he criticised the PCB and its leadership.
After his comments were widely shared across both countries, Akhtar took a U-turn and said his words were misunderstood and twisted by Indian television channels. He insisted that he never called Mohsin Naqvi incompetent and that his criticism was directed towards the top brass of international cricket, which is the International Cricket Council (ICC), run by Indian Jay Shah.
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“Incompetence aur ‘jaahil’ jo maine kaha, woh lagta hai ki shayad maine Mohsin bhai ki taraf kaha hai. Mera ishara Mohsin bhai ki taraf nahi tha. Mera ishara un logon ki taraf tha jo top brass international cricket chala rahe hain. Indian TV ne us baat ko twist kar diya. Maine ussi program mein yeh bhi kaha tha ki Mohsin bhai ke baare mein aap galat baat matt karna, main bardasht nahi karunga. Aur maine yeh bhi kaha tha ki he is a good guy, he wants to help Pakistan cricket, but he doesn’t get the right advice,” Akhtar clarified on Pakistan’s ARY News.
(The words incompetent and illiterate that I used may have seemed like they were directed at Mohsin bhai. But my indication was not towards Mohsin bhai. My target was those people who are in the top brass running international cricket. Indian TV twisted that statement. In the same programme, I also said that no one should speak wrongly about Mohsin bhai, I will not tolerate that. And I also said that he is a good guy, he wants to help Pakistan cricket, but he does not get the right advice.)
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View AllHere’s what Akhtar said on Indian TV channel
This clarification came after his earlier explosive interview with India’s ABP News, where he had openly criticised the PCB leadership. In that interview, Akhtar had said, “One guy who does not know anything has become the Pakistan Cricket Board’s chairman. What can you do? How will the team run?”
He had also attacked senior players, saying that Pakistan had made superstars out of players who cannot win big matches. He warned that giving important jobs to incompetent people is “the biggest crime in the world.” Many viewers felt these comments were clearly aimed at Naqvi, especially because of the recent controversies during his tenure as PCB chief.
Naqvi’s time as chairman has seen several dramatic moments. From political tensions during the Asia Cup trophy issue to Pakistan’s brief boycott threat before the India match in Colombo, his leadership has often been in the spotlight. Pakistan had initially threatened to boycott the T20 World Cup clash against India but later changed their decision after discussions with ICC officials.
On the field, things did not go well for Pakistan as India dominated the match from start to finish and beat them by 61 runs. With this win, India extended their dominance in ICC T20 World Cup meetings, making the head-to-head record 8-1 in their favour. India also became the first team to qualify for the next stage of the ongoing tournament.