'In India, We Have Azharuddin, Jadeja': Wahab Defends PCB Over Salman Butt Fiasco
Wahab revoked Butt's appointment one day after roping him in (Twitter)
The shambolic fiasco witnessing Salman Butt's appointment and sacking within two days in the role of the chief selector's ally was defended by the panel's head and former teammate Wahab Riaz, who referred to the names on the Indian side of the border to justify his ex captain's involvement in cricketing matters.
Wahab cited the examples of former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin and middle-order player Ajay Jadeja, who had faced allegations of involvement in the horrific match-fixing scandal at the turn of the century, but now work in official roles within the game.
While Azharuddin was not long ago the president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), Jadeja is currently associated with the senior Afghanistan national men's team as a mentor and was on board throughout the ICC World Cup 2023.
Butt had brought disgrace to the name of Pakistan by masterminding the spot-fixing scandal that played out during the Lord's 2010 Test. He was captain of the country when the former left-hand batter asked his quicks Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif to deliver deliberate no-balls for a hefty payout given to the trio by the bookies.
Wahab Defends Salman Butt's Selector Appointment
Speaking to the reporters, however, Wahab defended Butt's appointment within the senior selection panel by citing tainted Indian names working in official capacities across the border. It was Wahab who had brought his former skipper on board in the new selection panel before being forced to remove him on Saturday (December 2) at the directives of the reigning Pakistan PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.
"There is no pressure on me. I had made a decision and I am revoking it. In India, we have examples of Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja," Wahab said.
"They are working in cricket now and there is no fuss. Azharuddin is president of one of the cricket associations and Jadeja was Afghanistan’s batting consultant in the World Cup."
"People were talking all sorts of stuff about me and Salman Butt. Therefore, I am reversing the decision and I have already spoken to Salman Butt and I have told him that he cannot be part of my team. Some media houses and people are resorting to propaganda."
As is known, Butt had been banned for five years by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and even sentenced to a jail term worth two and a half years for his shocking act. He played 28 Tests, 78 ODIs and 24 T20Is for Pakistan.
 "Kashish Chadha")
