Salman Butt’s Appointment as Chief Selector Consultant Revoked Amid Public Backlash

A day after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed Salman Butt as a consultant for the chief selector, the decision has been swiftly reversed amid widespread public and media backlash. The move, announced by Chief Selector Wahab Riaz, comes in response to mounting criticism and concerns raised by various quarters.

Appointment and Subsequent Backlash

The PCB’s decision to bring Salman Butt on board as a consultant for the chief selector role stirred significant controversy and public outcry. Critics, including former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, expressed dismay over the appointment, citing concerns about having a figure associated with a spot-fixing scandal in a key decision-making position.

Chief Selector Wahab Riaz addressed the media in Lahore on Saturday, explaining the rationale behind the decision reversal. Riaz acknowledged the intense public and media pressure, stating, “People started talking all sorts of stuff about me and Salman Butt. It was my decision to have Salman Butt as a consultant because he is a good cricketing mind. I am now reversing that decision.”

Ramiz Raja’s Criticism

Among the vocal critics of the PCB’s initial decision was former chairman Ramiz Raja, who labelled the move as “insane.” Ramiz questioned the wisdom of having a selection committee with individuals linked to controversial incidents, emphasizing the importance of credibility in such pivotal roles.

Salman Butt, a former Pakistan captain, was a central figure in the notorious 2010 spot-fixing scandal, alongside Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif. Banned for 10 years by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Butt also served a prison sentence in the United Kingdom. The decision to appoint him as a consultant sparked debates about the appropriateness of involving individuals with tainted histories in cricket administration roles.

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