CRICKET
Salman Butt’s new role in Pakistan cricket receives criticism from fans
Salman Butt’s new role in Pakistan cricket has received criticism from the fans. The move comes after the Asian side named the former Pakistani cricketer as one of their members in the national selection panel. Ahead of the team’s tour of New Zealand, Butt will join Pakistan’s selection committee as a consultant selector. Along with the former Pakistani opener, two other prominent cricketers have also been selected.
The former Pakistani players like Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar Anjum are named the consultant selectors as well, along with Butt. They will be helping the new chief selector of Pakistan, Wahab Riaz, in forming the squads. But the selection of Butt for the role has not gone well among the fans of Pakistan cricket, as he was involved in a spot-fixing scandal in the past.
In August 2010, Pakistan had toured England for a Test series. In the tour, three Pakistani cricketers were caught in the spot-fixing scandal. The two pacers – Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif, were banned from cricket for 5 years, along with Salman Butt. All three of them returned to international cricket in 2016. By that time, they were well past their prime.
Fans express their anguish over Butt’s selection
But the fans have not forgiven them for their actions. To date, the three players are remembered for their misdeeds in the past. As a result, the selection of Butt for a higher role in Pakistan cricket has not gone well with the fans. There has been criticism from the fans for selecting the one being involved in spot-fixing in the past. One of the users on X commented that none destroyed Pakistan as much as Butt.
Another user felt that his selection for the role was a disgrace. The other user felt that Pakistan has embarrassed itself by selecting Butt. Some of them also expressed their positive opinions about the same. One of the users felt that it was a good move from Pakistan Cricket and would be beneficial for the team. One of them felt that it is a great idea to back Butt.