PCB ropes in match-fixer as consultant to Pakistan Cricket Team's chief selector Wahab Riaz

Salman Butt, Rao Iftikhar Anjum & Karman Akmal have been named consultants to Pakistan chief selector Wahab Riaz.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dealt with a massive rejig in their camp after team’s dismal World Cup performance in India in 2023 Pakistan missed out on semi-final qualification narrowly and decided to change the entire leadership group after a dismal show. PCB announced Wahab Riaz as chief selector of the men’s national team and now they have picked 3 of the former cricketers as consultant members to Riaz. 

One appointment ushered a massive outrage as former opener and match-fixer Salman Butt has also been picked as a consultant member along with former medium pace bowler Rao Iftikhar Anjum and wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal. Salman Butt was charged for spot-fixing along with Mohammad Asif and Mohammed Amir in 2010 when Pakistan travelled to England. He will now serve as a consultant member to Riaz in the selection panel. 

All 3 were part of 2009 T20 World Cup win

All three above-mentioned names were part of Pakistan’s successful campaign in the T20 World Cup in England in 2009. The trio will pick their first side for the upcoming tour to New Zealand starting right after the Australian tour. The first assignment for them will be to pick a squad for the five-match T20I series to play against the Kiwis. Pakistan will be aiming at ICC T20 World Cup 2024 set to be played in West Indies and the USA in June next year. 

Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar Anjum have the experience working as selection panel member. Kamran Akmal was part of the junior selection panel. While Rao Iftikhar Anjum also has experience working along with Shahid Afridi when he was associated with PCB as interim chief selector of Pakistan’s national team. He worked alongside former all-rounder Abdul Razzaq in the selection panel. 

PCB has made several changes including the captain of the team after the World Cup 2023 defeat. Shan Masood was picked as test skipper, Shaheen Afridi was picked as T20I captain replacing Babar Azam. They have also picked former all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez as team director. Pakistan are currently on a tour of Australia to play a three-match Test series starting on 14th December at Optus Stadium in Perth. 

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.