The former captain of Pakistan’s cricket team, previously convicted of match-fixing, has been removed from his position as a consultant

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rescinded the appointment of Salman Butt, a former captain convicted of spot-fixing, from a consultancy role for the men’s national team. This reversal occurred just a day after the announcement of his appointment, amidst significant backlash from media, fans, and cricket experts.

Butt, initially appointed alongside ex-players Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar Anjum, was removed following a hastily arranged press conference by chief selector Wahab Riaz. Riaz, addressing allegations of nepotism, stated that he had chosen Butt for his domestic cricket expertise and cricketing intellect, but the controversy surrounding the decision led him to reconsider.

Butt’s involvement in cricket’s major corruption scandal in 2010, where he, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Amir were found guilty of deliberately underperforming in a match against England, resulted in prison sentences and playing bans for all three. Butt, who has since returned to domestic and franchise cricket in Pakistan and works as a commentator and pundit, became a focal point of criticism following his brief appointment.

Kamran Abbasi, a cricket writer, and numerous fans expressed dismay over Butt’s appointment, questioning the integrity of the decision and its impact on the national team’s credibility. The controversy has been further fueled by Butt’s past involvement in corruption, causing trust issues among stakeholders, players, and sponsors.

In the backdrop of Pakistan’s recent exit from the Cricket World Cup and a series of poor performances, the PCB has made several significant changes. These include Babar Azam stepping down as captain, Shan Masood and Shaheen Shah Afridi taking over captaincy roles, and changes in the coaching staff, with Mohammad Hafeez assuming the team director role.

The board’s top management has also seen frequent changes, with Zaka Ashraf returning as PCB Chairman after ten years, replacing Najam Sethi. Pakistan’s men’s cricket team is set to resume action with a three-match Test series in Australia starting December 14.