The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former captain Salman Butt to the national selection panel ahead of Pakistan's five-match T20I series against New Zealand next year. The 39-year-old, who returned to cricket in 2016 after serving a five-year sentence for spot-fixing, has been selected as a consultant to newly-appointed chief selector Wahab Riaz, along with former teammates Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar Anjum.
Butt was suspended for five years in August 2010 for his role in spot-fixing during a Pakistan-England Test match. Despite his ban, Butt maintained his form and fitness, and upon his return to cricket in 2016, he experienced significant success as a batter and captain in domestic competitions. However, his past transgression prevented him from being considered for the national squad again.
Despite the PCB's decision not to recall Butt to the national squad, they recognised his expertise by engaging him as a commentator for domestic competitions last month. Now, Butt's appointment to the national selection panel further demonstrates the PCB's confidence in his abilities and their willingness to move beyond his past chapter.
"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. When not engaged in selection duties, the consultant members may be assigned additional tasks such as conducting skills camps," PCB said in a release.
Besides Butt, PCB has included former Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal and former Test pacer Rao Iftikhar Anjum to the national selection panel. The trio will join newly-appointed chief selector Wahab Riaz in selecting the Pakistan team for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand in 2024.
Butt, Akmal, and Anjum all have extensive experience in international cricket, having played alongside team director Muhammad Hafeez. Butt, who captained Pakistan to victories over Australia and England in 2010, has long complained of being punished unfairly for his involvement in the spot-fixing scandal. However, he has acknowledged his guilt and has since rebuilt his career, enjoying success in domestic competitions.
Akmal, a prolific run-scorer in all three formats, played for Pakistan for over 15 years, representing the country in 53 Tests, 157 ODIs, and 58 T20Is. Anjum, a left-arm pacer, played a single Test, 62 ODIs, and two T20Is for Pakistan.
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