Aaqib Javed Major Controversies: From Imam-ul-Haq Drama To Match-Fixing Allegations

Aaqib Javed has been a controversial figure in Pakistan cricket [Source: AFP]

Former Pakistan cricketer and current Director of High-Performance (PCB), Aaqib Javed, has always been a controversial figure. Right from his playing days, the cricketer has been involved in heated altercations, and it is a trend that he has carried forward while working with the PCB in his current role.

The latest Imam-ul-Haq controversy has not helped his cause, as the image of Pakistan cricket has taken a severe dent. The former Pakistan player never shies away from expressing his views, but more often than not, it has made Pakistan cricket a laughing stock.

In this article, we take a look at Aaqib Javed’s controversial moments: right from his playing days to his current PCB role.

The 1992 Old Trafford incident with Devon Malcolm

Aaqib Javed, for some reason was furious with England's number 11, Devon Malcolm, as he let fly several bouncers at him, which were deemed "intimidatory bowling" as umpire Roy Palmer had to step in.

The umpire warned Javed, but the Pakistan bowler didn’t take the gesture too kindly. After the over, when Palmer went to give Javed his sweater, it got tangled in Palmer’s belt. Javed reacted angrily, but it cost him his 50% match fee.

Match-fixing shortened my career: Aaqib Javed

Years after his retirement, Javed dropped a bombshell, stating that match-fixing scandals shortened his international career. He levelled serious allegations against former teammate Saleem Pervez, recognising him as the player who introduced cricketers to the bookies.

Javed stated that he was also approached for fixing a game, but he refused to do so, and hence, it ended his career.

“Lavish cars and millions of rupees were handed over to cricketers. I was also asked to fix matches and was told that if I did not comply, my career would be finished,” Javed was quoted as saying by a local Pakistan news channel in 2020.

“Players were approached with match-fixing offers through a former cricketer named Saleem Pervez,” he added.

“When I came to know about fixing, I took a strong stance and stood by it. I don’t regret the fact that it shortened my career as I strongly believe in my values. People tried to sideline me from tours because of my stance and would also reprimand those people who would talk to me,” he further said.

War of words with Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie

When Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten joined the Pakistan coaching setup, it finally looked like Pakistan cricket was going in the right direction. However, disaster struck when Kirsten left his post within 6 months of joining, and a few months later, Gillespie followed the exit door as well, citing a difference of opinion with the PCB.

Also Read: Jason Gillespie Fires Back At Aaqib Javed, Humiliates Pakistan Cricket

Gillespie accused Javed of interfering in his work, and he directly stated that the former Pakistan cricketer had ambitions of replacing him in the coaching department.

Pakistan crashed out of the Champions Trophy in the group stage without a win, and Javed slammed the Australian legend for Pakistan’s poor performance.

The former Australian pacer didn’t take the comments well as he hit back at Javed by saying: "This is hilarious. Aaqib was clearly undermining Gary and I behind the scenes, campaigning to be the coach in all formats. He is a clown."

Compares Bumrah to Usman Tariq

India won the T20 World Cup in 2026, and Jasprit Bumrah played a major role in it. After the tournament, Javed sparked a debate when he compared a veteran like Bumrah to Pakistan’s rising star, Usman Tariq.

Explaining his comparison, Javed said Bumrah's bowling style is rare because of his unusual action and the difficulty batters face in settling against him.

"In today's era, across this entire World Cup, there is only one bowler like that - Bumrah.

Because he is different. He is not a normal bowler. Even his action is unusual. When he comes in to bowl, I always say he is like the Usman Tariq of fast bowlers," he told reporters.

Also Read: Australian Player Publicly Mocks Aaqib Javed After Recent Shockwaves

This statement drew widespread criticism as fans lambasted PCB’s Director of High-Performance for comparing the legendary Bumrah to a newcomer.

Sacks Sarfaraz Ahmed, Umar Gul after just two series

Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were appointed batting and bowling coaches before the Bangladesh away tour. The Pakistan side lost that Test series; they then drew the away series against the West Indies, 1:1, and it was followed by consecutive humiliating defeats against England.

This turned out to be Javed’s breaking point as he was one of the key members who decided to sack Sarfaraz and Gul midway through the England series.

This was another decision of his which received criticism as Pakistan fans believed Gul and Sarfaraz never truly got a positive environment to thrive under Javed’s leadership.

Seven Pakistan players sent back home midway from the UK tour

Pakistan suffered embarrassing defeats in the first two Tests of their ongoing England tour, and immediately after the second Test, Javed made a bizarre decision to withdraw seven Pakistan players from the Test team.

Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were all released from the squad, and fresh faces were added in the team for the third Test match.

The seven replacements are: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Saad Baig, Muhammad Randhawa, Razaullah and Muhammad Imran Jnr.

Interestingly, most of the players who replaced the outgoing players have little to no Test experience, and despite this, Javed was the driving force behind their selection for the dead-rubber Test match vs England.

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