In a significant turn of events, the Pakistan Cricket Board has added the controversial former captain, Salman Butt, to the national selection panel in preparation for Pakistan’s upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand in the coming year. Despite Butt’s tainted history involving a five-year ban for spot-fixing in 2010, the 39-year-old cricketer has been appointed as a consultant member alongside former teammates Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar Anjum. The trio will work alongside the recently appointed chief selector, Wahab Riaz.

Butt, who returned to the cricket scene in 2016 after completing his ban, achieved success both as a batter and captain in domestic competitions. However, he was never considered for the national team, unlike his partner in the spot-fixing scandal, Muhammad Amir, who swiftly re-entered the Pakistan side in 2016.

The Pakistan Cricket Board recently assigned Butt to commentary duties for domestic competitions, and he is currently engaged in the National T20 Championship. The consultant members, including Butt, will have their first assignment during the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand starting on January 12, 2024, following the Test tour to Australia.

The release from PCB stated,

“When not engaged in selection duties, the consultant members may be assigned additional tasks such as conducting skills camps.”

Butt, Kamran, Wahab Riaz, and former Test pacer Anjum previously played together on the Pakistan team alongside the director of the Pakistan team, Muhammad Hafeez.

Kamran, with a 15-year career, participated in 53 Tests, 157 ODIs, and 58 T20Is, while Butt appeared in 33 Tests, 78 ODIs, and 24 T20Is. Anjum played a Test, 62 ODIs, and two T20Is from 2004 to 2010.

Salman Butt, Muhammad Amir, and Muhammad Asif were all found guilty of spot-fixing by the national crime agency in the United Kingdom, served time in jail, and faced bans imposed by the International Cricket Council.

Despite expressing remorse over his actions, Butt, who captained Pakistan to Test victories against Australia and England in 2010, has consistently voiced his dissatisfaction with the treatment he received. A few years ago, then head coach Waqar Younis recommended Butt’s comeback to the national team, but former captain Shahid Afridi opposed the idea, preventing his return to the squad.