ormer Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar was on Saturday named the brand ambassador of the Pakistan Cricket Board and was also appointed as advisor to chairman on cricket affairs. PCB president Najam Sethi took to Twitter to announce the news.
Akhtar’s cricket career had always been like a roller coaster ride as his entire journey on and off the field was marred by controversies, struggles and injuries.
In 2005, in a series against Australia, Akhtar was sent back home due to his poor attitude. While in 2006, he was involved in a drug scandal as he tested positive for a banned substance. In 2008, Akhtar was also banned from cricket by PCB.
He called time on his career in after the 2011 ICC World Cup which India won after beating Sri Lanka in the final at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. He made his debut in Test cricket in 1997 and played his first ODI in 1998.
He represented Pakistan in 46 Tests, 163 ODIs and 15 T20Is picking 444 wickets in international cricket (178 in Tests, 247 in ODIs and 19 in T20Is).
The 42-year-old thanked PCB for the honour and said he was looking forward to workig together with the cricket board.
“Am honored to be chosen for these positions in @TheRealPCB, will work with same passion as I did when playing. Thank you once again! #ShoaibAkhtar #PCB #BrandAmbassador #Advisor,” Akhtar wrote on Twitter.