Amid the ongoing revamping of the Pakistan Cricket Board, former batter Salman Butt has received a big role. The board has included him in the national selection panel headed by Wahab Riaz. He, along with Kamran Akmal and Rao Ifthikhar Anjum, will work as consultant members for Chief Selector Riaz.
It’s worth noting that Butt made a comeback to cricket in 2016 after serving a five-year ban. He was banned for his involvement in spot-fixing during the Pakistan vs. England Test series in 2010. However, despite his amazing performances in domestic cricket, Butt has never received a call for national duty since his comeback. He was one of the most successful captains in Pakistan’s domestic cricket.
“Their first assignment as consultant members to the chief selector includes the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, set to commence on January 12, 2024, following the conclusion of the Test tour to Australia,” PCB said in a release. “When not engaged in selection duties, the consultant members may be assigned additional tasks, such as conducting skills camps,” it further added.
Was Salman Butt treated unfairly by the PCB?
Salman Butt, Mohammed Amir, and Muhammad Asif faced spot-fixing convictions by the UK’s national crime agency, resulting in jail time and subsequent bans imposed by the Apex Cricket Council. Butt, who led Pakistan to Test victories against Australia and England in 2010, expressed a sense of injustice while acknowledging remorse for his actions.
Despite former head coach Waqar Younis endorsing Butt’s return to the national team, ex-captain Shahid Afridi opposed the comeback, blocking the cricketer’s reentry. The trio’s tainted past and efforts at redemption continue to shape their cricketing journeys, with Butt’s aspirations for a comeback facing resistance from within the cricketing fraternity. It’s worth noting that the trio will start working immediately as they select the squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series.
Here is how fans react to Salman Butt’s inclusion:
He Will fix Pakistan cricket for sure
— Pushkar (@musafir_hu_yar) December 1, 2023
Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir are also waiting to join butt pic.twitter.com/Kqb355VZ54
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) December 1, 2023
New T20 captain is on the way pic.twitter.com/eiwD7cXSj3
— Mr Zia (@iammrzia) December 1, 2023
Proud Moment for Pakistan pic.twitter.com/6pYDbIZoow
— Rohit_Live (@Rohit_Live007) December 1, 2023
Selection of what? Bookies?
— Sumukh Rao (@RaoSumukh) December 1, 2023
He was a fixer so he can fix the things now ???
— Indian Stats & Index (@statsfeed_india) December 1, 2023
Salman Butt has already received his punishment for the crime he committed. When other match-fixers like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, and Mushtaq Ahmed continued to work with the cricket board, then Salman should also be given a chance. He is involved in domestic cricket and has…
— Fayyaz khan (@fayyazcop1) December 1, 2023
Fixer as selector
Chucker as bowling coach ???
Just pax things— Secular Chad (@SachabhartiyaRW) December 1, 2023
How to not fix a cricket match..!! pic.twitter.com/KvRcGZ7IQl
— CricWiz (@CricWizTalks) December 1, 2023
??? once a match fixer is now in a selection panel of pakistan cricket ???????????????
Pakistan is such a looser !!?— Aditya (@AdityaDntCare) December 1, 2023
