Wasim Akram. Photo- Twitter
Wasim Akram. Photo- Getty

Wasim Akram, former Pakistani captain, has rejected the reports of him being interested in the job of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and being one of the candidates along with his former teammate Ramiz Raja, who was eventually chosen for the job.

He also slammed the Indian newspaper Times of India for carrying a PTI report that stated that Wasim Akram had shown interest in becoming the next Pakistan Cricket Board chairman after Ehsan Mani’s three-year tenure came to an end, which had quoted a PCB insider.

On Monday, PTI had reported, as per quotes from a ‘PCB insider’ that Akram had also shown interest in becoming the new chairman of the PCB before Prime Minister Imran Khan picked Ramiz Raja for the responsibility.

Ramiz Raja and Wasim Akram. Photo- Twitter
Ramiz Raja and Wasim Akram. Photo- Twitter

According to a PCB insider: “It is true Wasim Akram was also considered for the chairman’s post and had also indicated his interest but, apparently, the prime minister was advised that Ramiz would be a better choice as he had no past baggage to carry with him.”

Akram, who is an influential member of the PCB’s Cricket Committee and also Director cricket/coach with the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League, is presently in Australia with his wife and daughter.

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PCB Chairman’s Post Is A Specialised Job And I Was Never Interested In It: Wasim Akram

The PTI report had suggested that Akram was also interested in the job which eventually went to his 1992 World Cup-winning teammate Ramiz Raja, who had met with Pakistan PM Imran Khan and presented his plan for the future of cricket in the country.

However, Wasim Akram took to Twitter to reject the report and blasted the newspaper for carrying such a report.

“Please stop spreading such fake news. Get your sources right. TOI is one of India’s top and credible newspapers and such baseless news can only hurt that image. PCB chairman’s post is a specialised job and I was never interested in it. Thank God, I am content where I am in my life,” Akram tweeted.

According to the source at one time Akram’s name was put forward as a top candidate to replace Ehsan Mani and he also showed interest but his name cropping up in a match-fixing scandal in the past became a hurdle for him. Several match-fixing inquiries including the Justice Malik Qayyum commission between 1995 and 2000 never found Akram guilty of any wrongdoing.

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Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram. Image-PTI

Therefore, it was suggested to Imran Khan, the Pak Prime Minister and Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board, to go with Ramiz Raja as the next PCB chairman as he had a clean image.

“But this time Wasim had shown interest but eventually the premier settled upon Ramiz who has never come under the shadow of match-fixing allegations as a player or captain,” the source said.

Wasim Akram further congratulated Ramiz Raja on his selection as the new PCB chief and backed him to bring big changes in Pakistan cricket.

“Congratulations to @iramizraja on being nominated as BOG member by PM to being PCB chairman I am confident that Rams will bring a positive change in Pakistan cricket as he has the vision and experience to achieve that.Pakistan cricket needs a big lift and my support are with you,” Wasim posted.

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