Pakistan cricket could be heading toward another significant change in its selection setup, with former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar reportedly being considered for a senior role at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
According to reports published on September 28, Akhtar met PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad on September 26. The chief selector position was reportedly among the subjects discussed, although the talks may have extended beyond the selection role. There has been no official PCB announcement confirming Akhtar’s appointment or a finalized agreement.
The possibility is notable because Akhtar has spent recent years outside formal cricket administration while remaining one of the most outspoken former Pakistan players on the state of the national team.
Why the reported approach matters
The timing is particularly significant.
Pakistan’s cricket setup has been undergoing changes following a difficult period that included major adjustments to the Test squad and coaching staff during the England tour. Seven players were released from the squad following the Lord’s Test, while changes were also made to the coaching setup.
The PCB has also been facing questions about how the national selection system should operate and how much emphasis should be placed on younger players.
Against that backdrop, bringing a high-profile former international into the selection structure would represent a potentially important change in direction.
But the reported discussions should not be confused with a confirmed appointment.
Shoaib Akhtar has previously called for major changes
Akhtar has frequently spoken about the need for structural changes in Pakistan cricket.
His public commentary has generally focused on developing players with a more aggressive approach, improving decision-making and giving cricket administrators greater clarity about their responsibilities.
That background makes the chief selector position an interesting potential fit.
A selector’s job, however, extends well beyond identifying talented players. The role involves evaluating domestic performances, maintaining communication with coaches and captains, understanding team balance and making decisions that may have consequences across multiple formats.
If Akhtar were eventually given significant authority, his biggest challenge would therefore be translating his outspoken views on Pakistan cricket into a consistent selection process.
Pakistan’s selection system is already under scrutiny
The reported discussions come at a time when the PCB’s selection structure is receiving considerable attention.
Misbah-ul-Haq reportedly decided to leave the selection committee earlier this month, while Aaqib Javed has also been linked in reports with possible changes to his position. Aaqib has rejected reports that he was resigning or being removed.
The PCB’s current corporate structure lists Aaqib Javed as Director of High-Performance, illustrating that the board’s administrative and selection responsibilities have evolved considerably over recent years.
This makes any potential appointment of Akhtar part of a wider question: what should Pakistan’s selection structure actually look like?
The bigger issue is not just the name of the selector
Pakistan has changed its cricket management structure several times in recent years.
The board moved away from the traditional single-chief-selector model in 2024, when it announced a seven-member selection committee with equal voting power and no chief selector. The PCB said at the time that the structure was intended to encourage broader debate in selection decisions.
If the chief selector position is now being reconsidered, it could indicate another change in how the board wants selection decisions to be organized.
That makes the potential appointment more significant than simply putting a famous former player into an administrative position.
The important questions would be about authority, accountability and the selection criteria.
Would a chief selector have final authority? How much influence would the captain and head coach retain? How would domestic performances be weighted against international experience? And what process would be used to identify emerging players?
Those questions could ultimately matter more than the identity of the person occupying the position.
What Akhtar could bring to the role
Akhtar’s biggest advantage would be his experience as a former international player who competed at the highest level.
He played 46 Tests and 163 ODIs for Pakistan and experienced different generations of Pakistan cricket firsthand.
His profile could also make him particularly visible when communicating the board’s selection philosophy to fans and former players.
At the same time, a formal administrative role would require a different approach from television commentary or public criticism. Selection decisions often involve incomplete information, long-term planning and difficult choices involving established players.
That distinction would be important if Akhtar eventually takes up a position within the PCB.
The decision remains unconfirmed
For now, the reported meeting between Akhtar and Naqvi is the clearest part of the story. Reports indicate that the chief selector position was discussed, but the conversation may have extended to a broader role.
There is currently no official PCB confirmation that Akhtar has accepted the chief selector position or that a final agreement has been reached.
That leaves the situation open as Pakistan’s cricket administration considers further changes.
If the reports eventually result in an official appointment, the more important story will not simply be that Shoaib Akhtar has returned to Pakistan cricket.
It will be what authority he receives, how the selection system is redesigned and whether the new structure produces a clearer pathway from domestic cricket to the national team.
NM Focus Analysis
The Shoaib Akhtar speculation comes at a moment when Pakistan cricket appears to be reassessing several parts of its management and selection structure.
A high-profile former player could bring experience, visibility and a strong understanding of international cricket. But the effectiveness of any selection chief ultimately depends on the system surrounding the position: clear responsibilities, reliable domestic data, transparent criteria and consistent decision-making.
Until the PCB formally confirms its plans, Akhtar’s reported involvement should therefore be viewed as a development to watch rather than a completed appointment.
