In a surprising turn of events, Wahab Riaz, the chief selector of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has reversed his decision to include Salman Butt as a consultant. The about-face comes after intense pressure and criticism, raising eyebrows within the cricketing community.
Salman Butt, a former captain of the Pakistan cricket team, was embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal in 2010 that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Despite serving his punishment, the scars of the scandal remained, and Butt’s recent inclusion in the PCB selection committee stirred controversy.
Wahab Riaz initially defended his decision, expressing his belief in Butt’s cricketing acumen and asserting that people should move on from the events of 2010. In a statement, Riaz said,
“I think people should move on. Whatever happened was some time ago, and he served his punishment. For me, he is a good cricketing mind, and that’s why I wanted him as a consultant.”
However, the decision faced backlash from various quarters, with many former cricketers expressing shock and disapproval. The trio of Kamran Akmal, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, and Salman Butt were hired as “consultants” to Riaz, but the controversy surrounding Butt’s past raised questions about the PCB’s judgment.
In an unexpected twist, Wahab Riaz reversed his decision, explaining,
“There is no pressure on me – it was my decision, and I am the one who has reverted this decision as well.”
He hinted at external agendas aimed at tarnishing the PCB’s reputation and emphasized that he didn’t want any harm to come to the organization due to his decision.
The cricketing community remained divided over Salman Butt’s role in the PCB, with some supporting Riaz’s initial decision, citing Butt’s expertise, and others questioning the wisdom of including someone with a tainted history in a responsible position.
Amidst these developments, Test cricketer Asad Shafiq is set to join the revamped selection committee led by Wahab Riaz. The PCB’s reshuffling began on November 15, with Babar Azam stepping down as captain from all formats. Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi were named captains for Test and T20I cricket, respectively.
The changes continued with Mohammad Hafeez becoming the team’s director, Sohail Tanveer heading the junior selection committee, and Mohammad Yousuf taking charge of coaching Pakistan’s U19 team. These moves suggest a comprehensive overhaul in the wake of the World Cup, signaling the PCB’s commitment to a fresh start and a new direction for Pakistan cricket.
As the PCB navigates these changes, the Salman Butt saga serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between forgiveness, redemption, and the scrutiny that surrounds decisions made in the world of cricket administration.
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