Xtra Time Web Desk: In a bizarre turn of events, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) swiftly reversed its decision to appoint Salman Butt as a consultant for the chief selector Wahab Riaz, following intense public and media backlash. The removal was confirmed Wahab, just a day after the initial announcement.
Riaz, a former Pakistan pacer, explained the decision, stating that the appointment was his choice due to Butt’s cricketing expertise. However, under the pressure of public and media criticism, he decided to rescind the decision. Riaz emphasized that he had personally informed Salman Butt that he could no longer be part of his team. Despite the controversy, Riaz urged people to move on, acknowledging that Butt had already served his sentence related to the 2010 spot-fixing scandal.
Among the vocal critics of the PCB’s decision was Ramiz Raja, a former chairman of the Board. Salman Butt, a former Pakistan captain, played a central role in the infamous 2010 spot-fixing scandal alongside Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif. The International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed a 10-year ban on Butt, who also served a prison sentence in the United Kingdom. The swift reversal of the appointment reflects the intense scrutiny and sensitivity surrounding players involved in such scandals within the cricketing community.