The Pakistan Cricket Board has backflipped on its decision to appoint former national captain Salman Butt, who was jailed for his involvement in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal, as a member of the selection consultancy panel.
On Friday, the PCB announced that Butt, along with former international teammates Kamran Akmal and Iftikhar Anjum, would form an advisory panel under newly-appointed chief selector Wahab Riaz.
Butt, who captained Pakistan for five Tests, was banned by the ICC for ten years after ordering his bowlers to deliver no-balls during the 2010 Lord’s Test to comply with a request from an illegal bookmaker. He was incarcerated for 30 months, while teammates Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif also served jail time.
Butt’s appointment inevitably received heated backlash, with former PCB chair Ramiz Raja telling Cricbuzz: “It’s insane to have a selection committee consisting of a member whose decision can be termed as a display of filial affection or non-affection and another who was locked up for match fixing.”
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, less than 24 hours after Butt’s appointment, Riaz announced the 39-year-old had been withdrawn from the consultancy panel with immediate effect.
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“I am reverting that decision and I’ve already spoken to Salman Butt and told him that he cannot be a part of my team because I do not want that people link us in any way,” Riaz said.
“I firstly want to clarify that he is not on any PCB panel. Secondly, he is a good cricketing mind who understands cricket and has been covering domestic cricket for the past two to three years.
“He was made my consultant only as far as taking his opinion is concerned on which some people and media houses are probably doing propaganda, trying to ruin affairs and linking me with it.
“As the chief selector, I decide who will be the people working with me and who I will need the support of.
“There is no one else’s pressure. It was my decision and I am reverting it. I think it is very necessary for people to understand to move forward in life.”
Riaz confirmed a replacement would be announced shortly.
The drama unfolded on the eve of Pakistan’s upcoming Test series against Australia, which gets underway in Perth on December 14. The 18-player squad touched down in Canberra on Saturday ahead of next week’s four-day match against the Prime Minister’s XI at Manuka Oval.
Babar Azam stepped down as captain after the recent World Cup in India, replaced by Shan Masood, while former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has been appointed as national coach, despite having no prior coaching experience. The PCB also has been without a CEO for 12 months.
The Prime Minster’s XI match against Pakistan gets underway at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on Wednesday, with the first ball scheduled for 10.30am AEDT.
