By Irum Saleem
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has welcomed a “spot fixer Salman Butt” into it’s ranks, thanks to PCB chief Zaka Ashraf and chief selector Wahab Riaz to promote fixing in the world of cricket.
On Friday appointed former cricketers Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar Anjum as members of the selection committee led by chief selector Wahab Riaz.
The appointments come as part of a series of change across the team’s management structure, which started with the removal of Babar Azam as captain and also saw Mohammad Hafeez assume coaching duties and Riaz getting the nod for chief selector’s position.
The PCB said: “The three former cricketers 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.”
It further said: “Former Test captain Salman Butt represented Pakistan in 33 Tests, 78 ODIs and 24 T20Is. He made 5,209 runs spanning the three formats with 11 international centuries. He was in the T20 World Cup winning squad in 2009.”
But the PCB perhaps forgot to mention that Salman Butt was banned over a high-profile spot-fixing scandal in 2010 for five years. Butt sold Pakistan along with Muhammad Amir and Muhammad Asif. Amir was given a benefit of doubt because of age.
Earlier, former PCB chief Rameez Raja had opposed injecting spot/match fixing virus in Pakistan team.
What message Zaka Ashraf wants to give that he is a big promotor and supporter of spot fixers.
Such a virus shouldn’t have spread in team. What message Zaka and Wahab want to give to the world that Pakistan welcomes spot and match fixers? PAK DESTINY
