Ramiz Raja slams PCB over Salman Butt appointment

Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja has slammed the board over the “insane” appointment of Salman Butt as consultants to chief selector Wahab Riaz. Butt is one of the three members roped in by the PCB for the task of assisting the chief selector, the other two being Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar Anjum.

“The three have assumed 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 12 January 2024 following the conclusion of the Test tour to Australia,” a PCB release notified their appointment on December 1.

Ramiz, the 61-year-old who played 57 Tests and 198 ODIs for Pakistan, minced no words in calling out the PCB for appointing Butt who was involved in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal along with Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif. The former PCB chairman was also critical of Akmal’s appointment

“It’s insane to have a selection committee consisting of a member whose decision can be termed as a display of filial affection or non-affection and another who was locked up for match fixing,” Ramiz told Cricbuzz.