Pakistan reverse decision to appoint Salman Butt as selection consultant

Wahab Riaz says outside pressure has led to the decision to remove the former captain just a day after he was appointed to the role alongside Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar

Nick Howson | 02/12/2023 at 16:42

Salman Butt has been removed as a Pakistan selection consultant less than a day after his appointment.

Chief selector Wahab Riaz revealed the decision on Saturday (December 2) after what he described as outside pressure on the decision.

Ramiz Raja and Sarfraz Nawaz have been among the dissenting voices, while ESPNCricinfo understands there was pressure within the PCB to U-turn on the decision.

"Salman Butt isn't on any PCB panel," said Wahab, appointed in the wake of Pakistan's Cricket World Cup exit.

"For me, he is a good cricketing mind who understands cricket and has been covering domestic cricket for the past two to three years.

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^{Wahab Riaz explained the decision to the media on Saturday (ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images)}

"He was made my consultant just to get his opinion, based on which some media houses and people started doing propaganda.

"As a chief selector, it's my decision as to who will work with me and whose support I need.

"But people started discussing nepotism, due to which I am reverting this decision. I have already spoken to Salman Butt and told him that he can not be a part of my team."

Appointed with immediate effect on Friday (December 1) alongside Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar, the position was due to be Butt's first official role in cricket since being convicted for spot-fixing.

He was imprisoned in 2011 for his part in the conspiracy to deliberately bowl no-balls during a Test match against England at Lord's the previous year. The ICC banned him from playing for 10 years, with five years suspended.