Shoaib Akhtar has decided to play a key role in revamping the Pakistan board after the England tour debacle

Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is in line for a key position at the Pakistan Cricket Board, which is set to make changes to its cricket think-tank following a disastrous tour of England.

A source close to the PCB said that Shoaib, who lives in Islamabad, met chairman Mohsin Naqvi last week and the two discussed cricket-related issues in detail.

“A few weeks ago, when Shoaib’s elder brother passed away, Mohsin Naqvi worked closely with him and was there for him. This gesture went a long way for Shoaib, who has been a vocal critic of PCB and Pakistan cricket in the past in his media appearances,” the source added.

He said that relations between them were very good since Naqvi shared his plans with Shoaib and also invited him to visit NCA and training camps.

“Shoaib is in line to get a high profile post but clearly when he met the chairman he had his own set of ideas and conditions that he believes Pakistan cricket can go forward,” he added.

Apart from Shoaib, the board is also considering appointing some foreign coaches and consultants to the national teams following the sudden departure of the senior team’s fielding and batting coach Shane McDermott and Ashley Noffke.

The source said the board is also considering appointing a permanent long-term head coach of the women’s national team, which is also not doing well at all.

“The board is working on some plans for the future and there will be some changes in the cricket think tank soon as the chairman has made it clear that he expects better results from the men’s, women’s, shaheen and junior national teams,” the source said.

Pakistan suffered their first ever clean sweep on English soil when they lost 0-3 in the Test series against England.

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