Shoaib Akhtar could be heading back into Pakistan cricket after years away from an official role. The former Pakistan fast bowler has reportedly held discussions with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, with his name now being linked to a senior position in the board.
According to reports published on September 28, Akhtar met Naqvi in Islamabad on September 26. The initial discussion was reportedly around the chief selector’s position, although the talks may have moved towards a wider role after Akhtar shared his ideas about the direction of Pakistan cricket.
There is, however, an important point for cricket fans to keep in mind. The PCB has not officially announced Shoaib Akhtar’s appointment, and some reports have described the development as speculation rather than a confirmed offer. So, for now, Akhtar’s return should be viewed as a developing story rather than a done deal.
Why Shoaib Akhtar’s name has suddenly emerged
The timing of the reports is significant. Pakistan cricket has gone through a major shake-up following a difficult Test tour of England.
Pakistan lost the first two Tests heavily, and the PCB responded with an extraordinary mid-series overhaul. After the Lord’s Test, seven players were released from the squad and seven replacements were brought in. The board also released red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, replacing them with Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke.
The seven players released included Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.
The changes did not stop there. Misbah-ul-Haq, who was part of the national selection committee, subsequently decided to leave the selection setup. Reports said he informed the PCB of his decision shortly after the major squad changes.
That has created an opening for another major restructuring of Pakistan’s selection system, which is one reason Akhtar’s reported involvement has attracted so much attention.
Akhtar has already been talking about Pakistan’s rebuild
Shoaib Akhtar has not been a quiet observer during Pakistan’s recent problems.
In September, the former speedster spoke publicly about the PCB’s plans to rebuild the national team. He revealed that he had been in contact with someone inside the PCB and said the board was looking towards the next generation of players.
Akhtar also said Pakistan cricket could need around two years to rebuild. He specifically stressed the importance of protecting the careers of fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf during the transition.
Those comments are particularly relevant now. If the reports about his possible PCB role are accurate, Akhtar would potentially be joining the board at exactly the time when many of the ideas he has spoken about publicly are being discussed internally.
The former pacer has also been critical of Pakistan cricket’s decision-making in the past. That makes a possible administrative role interesting because he would move from commenting on the system from outside to potentially having a direct role inside it.
Chief selector or something bigger?
The chief selector position appears to be one possibility.
A report published by ProPakistani said the initial discussions with Akhtar centred on the chief selector role. However, it also reported that the conversation moved beyond selection after Akhtar expressed interest in a broader position within Pakistan cricket.
That distinction could become important.
A chief selector would primarily be involved in identifying and selecting players and helping shape the national team’s squad. A broader administrative or cricketing role could potentially give Akhtar a larger say in areas such as player development, selection philosophy, domestic cricket and the overall rebuilding process.
At this stage, though, there is no official confirmation detailing what position Akhtar could receive.
PCB already dealing with more changes
The possible Akhtar development comes at a time when the PCB’s cricketing structure remains under scrutiny.
Aaqib Javed has also been at the centre of speculation about changes to the selection setup. Several reports had suggested that he could leave his position, but Aaqib himself rejected those reports and called them “fake news”.
That means the situation around Pakistan’s selection committee is still fluid.
The England tour highlighted just how quickly decisions can change. The PCB’s official announcement confirmed that seven players were released after the Lord’s Test, while two members of the coaching staff were also replaced.
For Pakistan, the bigger challenge now is not simply appointing another selector or coach. The board needs to establish a clear pathway for the next generation while deciding how much experience should remain in the national setup.
What could Shoaib Akhtar bring to Pakistan cricket?
Akhtar’s biggest advantage in any potential role would be his experience as a former international player and one of Pakistan’s most recognisable fast bowlers.
He understands the pressures surrounding international cricket and has frequently spoken about the importance of developing Pakistan’s fast-bowling resources. His recent comments about Shaheen, Naseem and Haris also show that he is thinking about the long-term management of Pakistan’s pace attack rather than simply short-term results.
But an administrative position would be very different from playing cricket or appearing as a television analyst. Selection involves balancing current performances, domestic cricket, fitness, team combinations and long-term planning.
That is why the exact nature of any possible PCB role will be worth watching.
For now, Shoaib Akhtar’s reported meeting with Mohsin Naqvi has added another major name to Pakistan cricket’s ongoing restructuring story. Whether the Rawalpindi Express eventually takes the chief selector’s chair or accepts a wider responsibility remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: if Akhtar does return to the PCB, Pakistan cricket will have plenty to talk about.
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