Upset with Salman Butt’s removal, Wahab Riaz launches scathing attack on Pak media
Mohammad Azharuddin, Wahab Riaz, Ajay Jadeja (Image Credit: Twitter)
PCB Chief Selector Wahab Riaz, on Friday, appointed former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt as his consultant. The decision met with severe backlash. The latter was imprisoned for 10 years due to the infamous 2010 spot-fixing scandal. Alongside him, the likes of Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were banned for five years. Although the former made his comeback in the team and retired a few years, Butt and Asif never played for Pakistan again.
Not to forget, the left-hander, Butt’s imprisonment was cut short and he played two seasons of Pakistan Super League for current holders, Lahore Qalandars. Meanwhile, a few years back, the former Pakistan skipper retired from all forms of the game. Recently, with Riaz being appointed as the chief selector, he choose Butt as his consultant. However, thanks to the latter’s past, this decision faced serious backlashes. On Saturday, the former left-arm pacer removed Butt.
“People were talking all sorts of stuff about me and Salman Butt. Therefore, I am reverting the decision and I have already spoken to Salman Butt and I have told him that he cannot be part of my team,” Riaz told reporters at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
“Some media houses and people are resorting to propaganda. Since we’re working under the chairmanship of Zaka Ashraf in a transparent manner, I am thankful to the board for allowing me to choose the people I want to work with.”
People like Azharuddin and Jadeja also working in cricket: Wahab Riaz
Apart from being upset with the outrage, the Lahore player, Riaz added that players like Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja, who were banned for match-fixing, have been working in cricket. Notably, Jadeja has been working as a broadcaster over the years.
“In India, we have examples of Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja. 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,” Wahab said.
