Shoaib Akhtar says Tafazzul Rizvi’s legal notice ‘based on lies’

Speedster Shoaib Akhtar on Friday said that he stood by his remarks about Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) legal advisor and would send a ‘befitting legal reply’ to his defamation lawsuit.

PCB’s Tafazzul Rizvi had served a legal notice on the former Test cricketer for what he called using disparaging remarks against him on TV channels and social media.

In his notice served through lawsuit firm Rizvi and Rizvi, the PCB advisor has demanded Rs100 million compensation besides retracting the statement.

“I've received a notice from Tafazzul Rizvi which is based on lies & fabrications," Akhtar said, adding "I stand by my words regarding incompetence & unsatisfactory performance of Mr. Rizvi.”

Read also: Younis Khan backs former teammate Shoaib Akhtar in fresh feud with PCB legal advisor

Akhtar, in a video on his YouTube channel last week, had ripped apart the cricket board and its legal team, especially Rizvi, accusing him of profiteering by creating protracted legal wrangles between the board and its players.

"The remarks given by Shoaib Akhtar has affected my goodwill. He said false things about me on social media. His remarks were seen and heard abroad as well. Therefore, I decided to take legal action against him," Rizvi said.

The PCB advisor said that he will take action against Akhtar outside of Pakistan, too, adding that he has also "submitted a criminal complaint to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) under the cybercrime act".

PCB ‘disappointed’

The PCB also expressed "disappointment with Akhter’s outburst and termed it ‘highly disrespectful’". The PCB clarified that the legal notice sent to him does not involve the board's backing - yet.

“The PCB is disappointed with Shoaib Akhtar’s poor choice of words while publicly commenting about the PCB’s legal department and its legal advisor," the board said in a press release after Rizvi filed the suit against him.

The PCB, which was also allegedly accused of "lending cover and condoning match-fixers" by the fiery former fast bowler, further said: "The language used by Shoaib Akhtar was highly inappropriate and disrespectful, and cannot be condoned in any civilised society."

The board, however, said that the lawsuit filed against Akhtar does not have PCB as a plaintiff, although that could change, it hinted.

"The PCB’s legal advisor, Mr Taffazul Rizvi, in his own discretion, has initiated defamation and criminal proceedings against Shoaib Akhtar, while the PCB too reserves its rights,” the press release added.