Wasim Akram says NO to Pakistan Cricket Board offer, Waqar Younis chosen in compulsion

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has reportedly turned out to serve as the CEO of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The board was looking for someone to handle the cricket-related matters.

Akram was approached to serve as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or advisor to the chairman Mohson Naqvi but he turned down the offer citing personal commitment reasons. When he refused the role, the PCB then offered the role to Waqar Younis.

PCB Chief Mohsin Naq also serves as the Federal Minister of Interior and faced criticism for not giving enough time to the PCB. To resolve the issue he wanted someone who could handle cricket-related matters. The board then approached Wasim Akram, one of Pakistan's most decorated and respectful cricketers.

Reports in Cricket Pakistan further said that Naqvi contacted Wasim Akram personally offering him the role of CEO or personal advisor. The role would require the designated person to work full-time and invest himself in overseeing all cricketing affairs within the PCB.

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Waqar Younis To Take Up PCB Role After Wasim Akram's Refusal

Wasim Akram has declined to take up a position in the PCB. The former captain was offered the role of CEO or advisor to the chairman, but due to other commitments, he is not available for a full-time job. Following his refusal, Waqar Younis was appointed in the board

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Meanwhile, Wasim Akram, who is currently staying in Karachi and is a frequent traveler to Australia to meet his wife and kids said that he will be unable to relocate to Lahore at this point.

The former Pakistan cricketer said that he will remain available to help Pakistan Cricket always without any compensation. It was during this meeting that Naqvi shared some of his plans at PCB with Akram which he found interesting and also gave his approval.

After Wasim Akram refused to take up the position, the PCB approached Waqr Younis who agreed to accept the offer. Waqar Younis who also resides in Australia with his family said that he is open to returning to Lahore.

He met with Naqvi on Monday to discuss various matters, but an official announcement regarding his appointment has yet to be made.

He worked as a bowling coach with the national side from 2006 to 2007. Waqar was appointed the coach of the Pakistan cricket team on 3 March 2010. He resigned as Pakistan's cricket coach on 19 August 2011 citing personal reasons.

On 4 September 2019, Younis was appointed by the PCB as Pakistan's new bowling coach on a 3-year contract. He replaced Azhar Mahmood, who was sacked after Pakistan's disappointing performance in the ICC World Cup 2019 tournament. Thus every time Waqar Younis worked with the nationa tea as a coach it ended with disappointment.

Now he will work as the CEO and will be under the PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi. He is taking up this new role with Pakistan scheduled to host the Champions Trophy next year. However, they have some major problems in front of them and it will be interesting to see how he tackles them in his capacity with PCB.

His biggest challenge will be overseeing whether India will eventually travel to Pakistan to play in the tournament given the recent history between the two countries politically.

India have not played in Pakistan since 2008 due to its consistent security problems within the country. The board is unwilling to send the team over to play in the Champions Trophy next year as well.

Also Read: India's participation or refusal in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 doesn't matter to Pakistan claims former Head Coach