Controversies are going on in Pakistan cricket one after another. Last Friday, the country’s Cricket Board (PCB) formed a three-member advisory committee for the Pakistan Cricket Board of Selectors. Salman Butt, the cricketer who was banned for fixing, has been named there.
A question has been raised in Pakistan cricket about how a cricketer who was banned for 5 years due to his involvement in fixing was appointed as a consultant to the selectors. Various criticisms have started. If Salman is not removed, many have threatened to resign from the PCB.
Finally, the chief selector Wahab Riaz withdrew Salman’s name from the advisory committee on Saturday. Apart from the fixing, allegations have been made about Salman being a close friend of Wahab.
Even if Salman is removed, Wahab has not yet confirmed who will be appointed in his place. However, it is believed that former cricketer Asad Shafiq may be appointed to this post.
The controversy does not end here. Wahab is said to have appointed all three consultants from his own province as he is the current minister of the Punjab provincial government. The three-member committee comprising Kamran Akmal, Iftikhar Anjum and Salman Butt are all natives of Punjab. That’s why Wahab has been accused of bias.
After the upcoming Australia series, the first task of these consultants will be to select the team that Pakistan will play in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand next year. They will help organize skill camps when not involved in election work.
Salman Butt was banned for five years by the ICC in 2010 for his involvement in spot-fixing. The then Pakistan captain was linked with fixing the match between Pakistan and England at Headingley.
Mohammad Amir deliberately bowled a no ball in that match. It came to the attention of the investigators. Butt, Asif and Amir were found guilty after investigation. After the ban ended in 2016, Salman played well in domestic cricket. But he was never included in the national team.
But Mohammad Amir played in the World Cup for Pakistan even after serving the ban. Last month, the Pakistan Cricket Board allowed him to commentate in domestic competitions. Now he is playing in the National T20 Championship.
