Shoaib Akhtar to take senior PCB role after Pakistan’s 0-3 Test series loss in England

Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is poised to assume a prominent position within the Pakistan Cricket Board after Pakistan's 0-3 Test series defeat in England, and he met PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi last week to discuss cricket matters; a source close to the board said Akhtar, who resides in Islamabad, is in line for a major posting.

The source said the relationship between Akhtar and Naqvi strengthened after the chairman had supported Shoaib when his elder brother died. "Few weeks back when Shoaib's elder brother passed away, Mohsin Naqvi had interacted with him closely and was there for him. This gesture impressed Shoaib a lot who has been a vocal critic of the PCB and Pakistan cricket in the past in his media appearances," the source added. The source also said Naqvi has shared his plans with Akhtar and invited him to visit the NCA and training camps.

On Akhtar’s potential involvement, the source said the former paceman has discussed his own proposals and conditions for improving Pakistan cricket. "Shoaib is in line to get a major posting, but obviously when he met with the Chairman he had his own set of ideas and conditions through which he believes Pakistan cricket can be taken forward," he added.

The board is reportedly exploring external appointments to bolster the national setups following recent staff departures. The source said PCB officials are looking at appointing some foreign coaches and consultants after the sudden departures of the senior team fielding coach and batting coach, Shane McDermott and Ashley Noffke.

Attention is also being paid to the women’s programme, with the source indicating a search for a permanent long-term head coach for the national women's team, which has also not been doing well at all. The source linked these planned changes to broader performance concerns across Pakistan’s teams.

Pakistan suffered a first-ever clean sweep on English soil when they lost 0-3 in the Test series against England, a result the source framed as a catalyst for the board’s review and planned restructuring.

"The board is working on some plans for the future and there will be some changes in the cricket think tank soon because the chairman has made it clear that he expects better results from the national mens, womens, shaheens and junior teams," the source stated.