PCB clarified that the complaint has been filed against Akhtar by its legal advisor in his personal capacity.
Since Akhtar has been summoned to the Federal Investigation Agency office in Lahore on Friday (June 5), the Pakistan Cricket Board clarified on its part that the complaint has been lodged with the cyber crime unit of the FIA against the Rawalpindi Express by Tafazzul in his individual capacity.
"Tafazzul Rizvi is pursuing a defamation case against Shoaib Akhtar in his personal capacity, the board has filed no complaint against the fast bowler with the FIA," a PCB spokesman quoted as saying by PTI.
After PCB had imposed a three-year ban on Umar Akmal for not reporting a corrupt approach, Shoaib Akhtar uploaded a video on his YouTube channel and slammed the board for not taking strict action against tainted players in the past. He also termed PCB’s legal team as incompetent.
Akhtar’s remarks didn’t go down well with Rizvi and he initiated defamation and criminal proceedings against the ex-pacer.
He had sent two notices to Shoaib -- one in Pakistan and one through a law firm in the United Kingdom -- seeking a public apology and damages worth 10 million rupees.
Akhtar's lawyer has responded to the notice sent in Pakistan but Rizvi said a reply was still waiting for the notice sent from the UK.
Tafazzul Rizvi made it clear that he intended to pursue his defamation case against the fast bowler, who had made false allegations against him and tried to damage his reputation in the legal community.
(With PTI inputs)