ramiz raja shoaib akhtar sportstiger

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar is known for his explosive remarks about any cricketing issues, especially concerning Pakistan. The 47-year-old recently made headlines for criticizing Pakistan captain Babar Azam for his poor communication skills. Akhtar said that Azam needs to work on his speaking skills if he wants to become a brand like Virat Kohli. Akhtar also mocked Kamran Akmal on live TV for mispronouncing a word. 

While speaking to Suno News, Akhtar had recently revealed his wish to become the next PCB chairman, saying he would produce 50 superstars from the country if he is given the position of power. "I owe a lot to Pakistan cricket, and it’s my wish to serve Pakistan," he had said. 

A few months back too, Akhtar had expressed his desire to become the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) while taking a dig at the then PCB Chief Ramiz Raja. "I can become a better chairman of PCB than Ramiz Raja. I do have plans to become Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board one day. My target is to make PCB worth Rs 500 billion and end the dependency of PCB on any other cricket board or ICC,” Akhtar had said in November 2021. 

Now, as Ramiz Raja has relinquished the PCB Chief job, the former Pakistan captain has sent a message to Akhtar via the media. Raja has suggested the former speedster to get a graduate degree first to become eligible for the post. "He needs to get a graduate degree first in order to become eligible for the chairmanship of PCB,” said Raja during an interaction with a local TV channel. 

The former PCB Chief also looked disappointed at Akhtar’s remarks about current or former players as Raja suggested the pacer becomes a better human being first and then a brand. 

"Shoaib Akhtar is a delusional superstar. He also had an issue recently with Kamran Akmal. He wants everyone to become a brand, but it is more important to become a human first. First, become a human and then a brand,” Raja told Bol News.

“Our former players degrade our cricket brand by giving delusional statements. You will never see that happening in our neighbouring country. You will never see Sunil Gavaskar criticizing Rahul Dravid. It only happens in Pakistan, where former players don't let others do their job professionally,” he added.