PCB Legal Advisor Tafazzul Rizvi Files Defamation Case Against Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar has landed in hot water once again. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) legal advisor Tafazzul Rizvi has filed a criminal as well as defamation suit against Shoaib Akhtar for the latter’s allegedly inappropriate comments against him in a YouTube show.

The ex-cricketer was commenting on the recent sentencing of Umar Akmal when he made the comments which have been deemed inappropriate by Rizvi. Recently, the PCB slapped a three-year ban on Umar from all forms of cricket over corruption charges.

Rizvi, the long serving legal advisor of the board, made it clear he had initiated defamation and criminal proceedings against Shoaib Akhtar. He has also lodged a complaint with the Federal Investigation Agency under its cyber crime laws against the Pakistan legend.

In the legal notice sent to the ex-cricketer, Rizvi highlighted legal charges and punishments awarded to the former fast-bowler throughout his career. Rizvi demanded that Shoaib Akhtar retracts his statements, tenders an unconditional apology, pays PKR 100 million in damages and refrains from repeating and making defamatory remarks against the lawyer in the future.

During the same YouTube show, Shoaib Akhtar had also ended up irking the Pakistan Bar Council and the latter released a statement, warning the former cricketer to be careful with his words while talking about the legal fraternity. The council in particular said it was disappointed to hear the comments Shoaib Akhtar had made about Rizvi.

“Shoaib Akhtar should be very careful in his discussions on matters pertaining to the legal community,” the statement said.

The PCB also issued a statement, saying that it was disappointed with Shoaib Akhtar’s poor choice of words while publicly commenting about the PCB’s legal department and its legal advisor.

“The language used by Akhtar was highly inappropriate and disrespectful, and cannot be condoned in any civilised society. The PCB’s legal advisor, Mr Taffazul Rizvi, in his own discretion, has initiated defamation and criminal proceedings against Shoaib Akhtar, while the PCB too reserves its rights,” stated the PCB.

In his video, Shoaib Akhtar defended Umar and was critical of the three year ban on him imposed by the Disciplinary Panel of the board. He also mocked Rizvi and questioned his legal experience claiming he always only complicated matters between the board and players.

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