Wasim Akram declines offer to take key position at PCB

Lahore: Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram declined an offer to take a key position at Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said the sources on Saturday.

“Wasim Akram was approached for the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or advisor to the chairman but he declined just because of other commitments,” said the sources close to Wasim Akram.

Wasim Akram said he is not available for a full-time role.

“Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) approached Wasim Akram and offered him the role of CEO or personal advisor,” said the sources.

The role, they said, required a full-time dedication and time to oversee all cricketing affairs with the board.

Akram, who resides permanently in Karachi and frequently travels to Australia for family reasons, said that he is unable to relocate to Lahore.

Akram, however, assured the chairman that he would remain available to support Pakistan cricket as needed, without any compensation.

During their discussion, Naqvi shared his future plans for the PCB, which Akram found impressive, said the sources, adding that Waqar Younis was approached later for the same role.

Waqar Younis, they said, accepted the role. Younis met with Naqvi on Monday to discuss various matters, but an official announcement regarding his appointment has yet to be made.

 Younis had previously been associated with the PCB in various capacities, although each tenure ended on an unpleasant note.

It may be mentioned here that new PCB constitution does not currently include position of CEO, though amendments could be made to accommodate the role if necessary.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the Federal Minister of Interior, has been criticized for not dedicating sufficient time to cricket due to his dual responsibilities. To mitigate this issue, Naqvi sought to delegate cricket-related matters to a former cricketer.