Wahab Riaz, the chief selector of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, faced swift backlash and reversed the appointment of Salman Butt to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee. Butt, a former cricketer banned over a spot-fixing scandal, along with Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar Anjum, was named to the committee a day prior. However, public criticism led Riaz to drop Butt, emphasizing he did not want any association that could raise questions.
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In a press conference at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Riaz stated, “I am reverting that decision and I’ve already spoken to Salman Butt and told him that he cannot be a part of my team because I do not want that people link us in any way.” Riaz acknowledged the public debate around Butt’s appointment, clarifying that Butt was not on any official PCB panel but served as a consultant for his cricketing insights.
Riaz expressed gratitude to PCB chief Zaka Ashraf for allowing him to make decisions on the selection committee. He refuted allegations of nepotism and friendship-based favors, emphasizing that Butt’s past mistakes had already been paid for. Riaz highlighted the need for people to understand the decision was based on cricketing knowledge and not external pressures. While committed to moving forward, Riaz was cautious not to let his decisions negatively impact the PCB, acknowledging his role within the organization. The chief selector urged a focus on the present and the merit of decisions made for the betterment of Pakistani cricket.
