After calling Naqvi 'incompetent and illiterate' on an Indian news channel, Akhtar attempted to retract his comments on Pakistani television. He insisted his remarks were about cricket administration in general, not Naqvi personally, while acknowledging frustration with Naqvi's sudden U-turn on the boycott stance against India in the T20 World Cup.
The former pacer's backtracking came across as awkward and fumbling, with Akhtar admitting he was angry with Naqvi for taking a stance but not sticking with it, despite community support. His initial criticism had questioned Naqvi's suitability for the PCB chairman role.