PCB removes Salman Butt as consultant after backlash

Monitoring Desk

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Saturday removed former Pakistan captain Salman Butt from a consultant panel to assist the selection committee a day after his appointment.

PCB move came after the board received severe backlash over Butt’s appointment as he was the main figure during the infamous and unfortunate spot-fixing saga that had unfolded in 2010 and led to the ban from cricket to fast bowlers Muhammad Amir, Muhammad Asif and Butt.

Pakistan chief selector Wahab Riaz who was also part of that squad and was implicated in the scandal earlier but was left off the hook due to lack of evidence announced Salman Butt’s removal from the consultant panel in a press conference at the PCB headquarters.

Wahab said Butt was yet to be appointed as a consultant and was not associated with the PCB as of yet.

He said Butt played no role in selecting the team for the Australia tour. He said Butt’s appointment was under consideration, however, after a thorough deliberation, the PCB has decided not to appoint Butt in this role.

Wahab said Asad Shafiq now will be the new member of the consultant team.
However, Wahab’s claim is contrary to the official press release issued by the PXCB a day earl;ier that confirmed the appointment of Butt.

“The PCB has confirmed the appointment of former Pakistan cricketers Kamran Akmal, Rao Iftikhar Anjum and Salman Butt as consultant members to chief selector Wahab Riaz,” the board said in the press release.

“The three have assumed their responsibilities in the selection panel with immediate effect. Their first assignment as consultant members to the chief selector includes the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, set to commence on 12 January 2024 following the conclusion of the Test tour to Australia,” the press release added.

Wahab said the selection committee consists Taseef Ahmad, Wajahatullah Wasti and Waseem Haider. He said the job of the consultants is only to identify the players. Wahab said he talked to Khurram Manzoor, Fawad Alam, Ruman Raees, Usman Shinwari and other players and those who expressed willingness have been appointed as consultants.

He said the issue of Butt is being hyped unnecessarily. He said he has discussed with Butt and he will no longer be a part of the consultants team. He alleged that some quarters have maligned him and Butt under specific agenda.

Wahab said PCB was not to blame in this matter as he was the one who included Butt and it is also him who removed Butt from his team after talking to him.
He said he took the responsibility taken by the selection committee to improve the domestic cricket.

Wahab said it is common practice in the world that whoever completes the sentence should get his rightful place in the society and urged the people who are targeting a person for no reason should think about it.

He said there was no pressure in Butt’s matter (to remove him) but this has been done to avoid further controversy.