Former Pakistan fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar has landed in hot water once again. PCB legal advisor Tafazzul Rizvi has filed a criminal case, as well as a defamation suit against Shoaib Akhtar for the latter’s allegedly inappropriate comments against him in a YouTube show.
In his video, Shoaib Akhtar defended Umar and was critical to the three-year ban on him imposed by the Disciplinary Panel of the board. He also mocked Rizvi and questioned his legal experience claiming he always only complicated matters between the board and players.
Rizvi, the long-serving legal advisor of the board, made it clear he had initiated defamation and criminal proceedings against Shoaib Akhtar. He has also complained with the Federal Investigation Agency under its cybercrime laws against the Pakistan legend.
During the same YouTube show, Shoaib Akhtar had also ended up bugging the Pakistan Bar Council, and the latter released a statement, warning the former cricketer to be careful of his words while discussing the legal fraternity. The council, in particular, stated it was disappointing to hear the comments Shoaib Akhtar had made about Rizvi.
“Shoaib Akhtar should be cautious in his discussions on matters pertaining to the legal community,” the statement stated.
The PCB also issued a statement, saying that it was disappointed with Shoaib Akhtar’s poor choice of words while publicly commenting about the PCB’s legal department and its legal advisor.
“The language used by Akhtar was highly inappropriate and disrespectful, and cannot be condoned in any civilized society. The PCB’s legal advisor, Mr. Taffazul Rizvi, in his discretion, has initiated defamation and criminal proceedings against Shoaib Akhtar, while the PCB to reserves its rights,” stated the PCB.
