Shoaib Akhtar faces defamation, criminal proceedings from PCB's legal advisor Tafazzul Rizvi

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has landed himself in trouble again after Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) legal advisor Tafazzul Rizvi slapped a criminal and defamation suit against the Rawalpindi Express for his alleged comments against him on a YouTube video.

Rizvi, who is a long-serving legal advisor of PCB, confirmed that he has initiated defamation and a criminal suit against Akhtar while lodging a formal complaint with the Federal Investigation Agency under its cyber-crime laws. 

In the legal notice sent to Akhtar, Rizvi highlighted legal charges and punishments awarded to the former fast-bowler throughout his career. He also demanded that he retracts his statements, tenders an unconditional apology, pays PKR 100 million in damages and refrains from repeating and making defamatory remarks against the lawyer in the future.

Akhtar had posted a video following the three-year ban imposed on Umar Akmal for not reporting corrupt approaches but ended up irking the Pakistan Bar Council, which cautioned him to be careful in what he says. The Pakistan Bar Council, in a statement, stated that it was disappointed by the comments made by Akthar towards Rizvi. 

"Shoaib Akhtar should be very careful in his discussions on matters pertaining to the legal community," the statement said.

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The PCB, whereas, in a statement said it was disappointed by Akhtar’s selection of words while publicly commenting about the PCB’s legal department and advisor. 

"The language used by Akhtar was highly inappropriate and disrespectful, and cannot be condoned in any civilised society. 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."

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Akthar, in his video, had defended Umar while slamming the three-year-ban imposed by the Disciplinary Panel of the PCB. However, Akhtar had mocked Rizvi and questioned his legal experience while commenting that he always complicate matters between players and board. 

Former Pakistan skipper Younis Khan, defended Akhtar for his comments on Rizvi as he said he stands with Akhtar. 

What a befitting and bitter truth spoken by @shoaib100mph! It takes a backbone to be simply uncompromisingly forthright. Time for @TheRealPC to honestly evaluate his remarks for the betterment of Pakistan Cricket and its players. I stand by with #ShoaibAkhtar.