The former pacer, who had called Naqvi 'incompetent and illiterate' during an appearance on an Indian news channel, attempted a retraction less than 24 hours later on Pakistani television. Akhtar insisted his harsh words were about broader cricket administration issues, not Naqvi personally, though his explanation came across as fumbling.
Akhtar expressed frustration with Naqvi for taking a stance against India in the T20 World Cup then reversing it, stating: 'I am angry with him as he took a stand but did not stick with it. The entire community was with him.' He had previously questioned Naqvi's suitability for the PCB chairman role.