PCB appoints Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal as Wahab Riaz's consultants

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday appointed former cricketers Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar Anjum as “consultant members” to chief selector Wahab Riaz.

In a statement, the PCB said that the trio have taken charge of their responsibilities in the selection panel with immediate effect.

“Their first assignment as consultant members to the chief selector includes the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, set to commence on January 12, 2024 following the conclusion of the Test tour to Australia. When not engaged in selection duties, the consultant members may be assigned additional tasks such as conducting skills camps,” said the PCB.

Akmal, during his 15-year cricket career, played 53 Tests, 157 ODIs and 58 T20Is. While Rao Iftikhar played a Test, 62 ODIs and two T20Is from 2004 to 2010. Former Test captain Salman Butt represented Pakistan in 33 Tests, 78 ODIs and 24 T20Is.

Butt’s appointment draws social media’s ire

The PCB's decision to appoint former captain Butt as a consultant didn't sit well with social media users.

Many fans opposed the appointment due to the former captain’s role in the spot-fixing scandal in 2010.

Here’s what some users said on the appointment:

Some users believe that the appointment may be a good move.