National selector Aaqib Javed on Tuesday dismissed reports of his resignation or removal from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), calling the claims “fake news” as speculation grows over a major shake-up in the board’s cricket setup.
In a text message to a private media outlet on Tuesday night, the former Pakistan fast bowler denied that he had stepped down or was preparing to do so. “No resignation, it’s fake news,” Aaqib wrote.
His response came a day after several outlets, citing sources within the board, reported that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi was planning sweeping changes to address Pakistan’s recent slump in form. The reports claimed Naqvi could release Aaqib from his position as senior selector and remove Wahab Riaz as mentor of the women’s team once the Asian Games in Japan conclude.
Aaqib, who played for Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning squad, has held major influence over PCB decisions for the past two years. He sits on the national selection committee and also serves as the board’s director of high performance.
Many critics blame him for the frequent turnover in coaching staff and captaincy, along with the controversial mid-series reshuffle during Pakistan’s recent Test tour of England.
The board sent seven players home and replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul after Pakistan lost the second Test at Lord’s. The team went on to suffer a 3-0 whitewash and slipped to the bottom of the World Test Championship table.
Misbah-ul-Haq, Aaqib’s colleague on the selection panel, resigned soon after, but Aaqib had already made clear that he had no plans to follow suit.
Some reports suggest that white-ball coach Mike Hesson’s willingness to take charge of the Test side may have shaped the board’s latest thinking.
Aaqib has continued to defend the changes made during the England series, arguing that the team had failed to compete and needed a shift in mindset.
