PCB appoints former cricketers as consultant to chief selector

PCB appoints former cricketers as consultant to chief selector

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the appointment of former Pakistani cricketers Kamran Akmal, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, and Salman Butt as consultant members to chief selector Wahab Riaz.

Akmal, Anjum, and Butt will provide valuable insights and expertise to Riaz as he oversees the selection process for the Pakistan men's national cricket team. Their appointment is effective immediately, and their first assignment will be the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, starting on January 12, 2024.

The trio brings a wealth of experience to their new roles, having all played for Pakistan at the highest level. Akmal and Anjum have also served in selection roles previously. Akmal was appointed chair of PCB's Junior Selection Committee earlier this year, while Anjum was part of the three-man selection committee that assisted interim chief selector Shahid Afridi in 2022.

Butt's appointment marks his first official position with the PCB since he was handed a ban in 2010 for his role in the spot-fixing scandal. He has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the PCB and is eager to contribute to the team's success.

An official of the PCB confided: “The appointment of these experienced cricketers is part of the PCB's ongoing efforts to revitalize the national team following an early exit from the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. The PCB is confident that Akmal, Anjum, and Butt will provide valuable guidance to Riaz and help the team achieve its goals.”

Kamran Akmal, in a 15-year career from 2002 to 2017, played 53 Tests, 157 ODIs and 58 T20Is. The former wicketkeeper-batter amassed 6,871 runs across formats and bagged 453 dismissals behind the stumps. He was a member of the Pakistan team that won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 at Lord’s.

Rao Iftikhar played a Test, 62 ODIs and two T20Is from 2004 to 2010 and took a total of 78 international wickets. He was also part of the side that lifted the T20 World Cup in 2009.

Former Test captain Salman Butt represented Pakistan in 33 Tests, 78 ODIs and 24 T20Is. He made 5,209 runs spanning the three formats with 11 international centuries. He was in the T20 World Cup winning squad in 2009.