Franchises unhappy with Butt's com gig
Ever since my comeback [in the domestic circuit], I have performed well in tournaments, says Salman Butt. PHOTO: AFP
The inclusion of former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, who was convicted for spot-fixing, in the PSL 10 commentary panel has led to dissatisfaction among franchise owners.
Despite sending a joint letter before the announcement, their concerns were not addressed.
In 2010, during the Lord's Test, Salman Butt, along with fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, were involved in a spot-fixing scandal and served jail in London.
After their bans ended, only Amir was able to return to the national team, while Asif has been living in the United States for a long time. Salman Butt now heads the Ghani Glass Institute of Cricket in Lahore.
Sources revealed that when the PSL franchisees learned that Salman Butt was being included in the commentary panel, they sent a joint letter to the authorities.
The letter did not name anyone directly but asked that no individual involved in unethical activities, fixing, or who had been jailed be included in the panel, as it could affect the league's reputation. However, PSL officials disregarded the request, and Salman Butt's name was still included in the official commentary panel the following day.
In response to the franchises' complaints, it was mentioned that Salman Butt would be doing commentary in Urdu, which would likely not be widely recognized outside Pakistan.
This isn't the first time Salman Butt has found himself in the eye of a storm since his return to the cricketing spotlight. Late last year, his appointment as an advisor to then-chief selector Wahab Riaz sparked considerable public criticism, forcing the board to reverse the decision within days.
It's worth mentioning that recently, Salman Butt had conducted interviews with national cricketers for PCB Digital.
Currently, Salman Butt works with an institution whose representatives are also part of the PCB Governing Board.
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