Latest news with #SalmanButt
Express Tribune
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
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.
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Wahab Riaz withdraws from National T20 Cup after criticism, reveals Salman Butt
Former Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz was set to make a return to domestic cricket, representing Lahore Whites in the upcoming National T20 Cup. However, Riaz has since withdrawn from the squad after severe criticism received by fans regarding his inclusion. Fans raised concerns about opportunities for younger players. Salman Butt, former Pakistani opener, revealed the news on a television show. The decision comes amid Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) commitment to unearthing fresh talent. The 39-year-old, who last played for Pakistan in 2020, initially earned his spot after an impressive trial performance at the Lahore Region Cricket Association match at Aligarh Ground. Representing Lahore Greens, Wahab picked up one wicket for 25 runs in three overs, dismissing young batter Rana Arsalan. With the bat, he struck a quickfire 31 runs, including three sixes. His selection had reignited debate over former players occupying domestic cricket slots, potentially limiting emerging talent. Pakistan is a joker association country where a retired ahole average bowler who has links with govt will be playing a cup — Maverick (@TravelTranter) March 9, 2025 PCB mentor Wahab Riaz to play in local NT20 tournament in Pakistan. The state of Pakistan Cricket. No wonder PCT is in disarray. — M (@anngrypakiistan) March 9, 2025 Wahab, who also played in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) until 2023, recently completed PCB's Level-2 Coaching Course and briefly served as a national selector. Salman Butt: Wahab Riaz ruled himself out of Lahore's squad for the National T20. Shukar hai, ghairat aa gayi.#PakistanCricket — Abdul Rehman Shahbaz Khan (@arskhan04) March 9, 2025 Fans were especially criticial of PCB, with many asking why a retired pacers would take a spot from a potential young player who could gain experience and thus improve. Hello @TheRealPCB just stop it !! This is the reason why we are where we are ! 💔 #PakistanCricket @WahabViki — Majid Majeed (@majidmajeed83) March 9, 2025 Karachi Whites, the defending champions, will look to retain their title when the tournament begins later this month.
Express Tribune
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Watch: Salman Butt says 'no improvement' in Pakistani team after defeat to India
Former Pakistan batter Salman Butt has criticised the national team's failure to improve following their six-wicket defeat to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Speaking after the match, Butt highlighted Pakistan's inability to construct an innings and adapt to modern white-ball cricket. Butt pointed out Pakistan's recurring struggles, stating that the team continues to repeat the same mistakes without learning from past failures. 'The issue is not just losing, but the fact that there is no improvement. If mistakes keep changing, it means you are trying new things, but Pakistan don't seem to know how to construct an innings, post a total, or chase one,' he said. He criticised the batting approach, arguing that Pakistan failed to capitalise on their starts. 'We win the toss, bat first, and get five players set, yet no one scores big. Every other team has had at least one or two centurions, but no Pakistani batter has produced a match-winning innings,' Butt added. Pakistan's dismissals also came under scrutiny, with Butt questioning their shot selection. 'Some dismissals were reckless and irresponsible. If a player has consumed deliveries, it's his responsibility to ensure the team benefits from it,' he said. On the bowling front, Butt noted Pakistan's failure to disrupt India's batters. 'We started well with the ball, but once Rohit Sharma stepped forward and attacked, our bowlers lost control. When batters use their feet, bowlers need to adjust, but Pakistan's attack struggled under pressure,' he observed. With Pakistan's Champions Trophy campaign now in serious doubt, Butt's remarks add to growing concerns over the team's direction and planning.
Wamda
10-02-2025
- Business
- Wamda
Salla acquires Sweply, rebrands it as 'Salla Ads'
Saudi Arabia-based SaaS provider Salla has entered into an agreement to acquire Sweply, an innovative Saudi digital advertising platform. Following the acquisition, Sweply will be rebranded as "Salla Ads," becoming the official advertising solution within Salla's ecosystem. Founded in 2016 by Nawaf Hariri and Salman Butt, Salla enables merchants to set up their e-commerce online shops within hours. Sweply, founded in 2021 by Ebrahim Saeed and Wael Hassan, is a cutting-edge advertising platform that enables merchants to create, manage, and optimise their digital marketing campaigns with greater efficiency and precision. In March 2024, Salla raised a $130 million pre-IPO investment round, led by Investcorp, along with Sanabil Investment and STV. Press release: Salla, Saudi Arabia's leading e-commerce platform and the largest enabler of merchants in the region, has entered into an agreement to acquire Sweply, an innovative digital advertising platform. Following the acquisition, Sweply will be rebranded as "Salla Ads," becoming the official advertising solution within Salla's ecosystem. This move marks a major step in integrating digital advertising with e-commerce, offering merchants an intuitive and efficient way to reach their customers. This acquisition underscores Salla's commitment to empowering merchants with end-to-end solutions that simplify digital transformation for businesses, SMEs, and entrepreneurs. By combining advanced advertising technology with e-commerce tools, Salla is reinforcing its position as the preferred platform for online sellers in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Over the past few years, Sweply has established itself as a trusted advertising platform, serving over 35,000 registered advertisers and playing a key role in the region's digital marketing landscape. Empowering Merchants with Salla AdsSalla Ads enables merchants to launch, manage, and optimize their advertising campaigns directly from their store dashboards. Equipped with AI-powered targeting and advanced analytics, the platform provides seamless campaign execution and real-time performance insights—offering merchants greater control compared to traditional ad solutions. Designed to maximise efficiency and ROI, Salla Ads is fully integrated with merchants' e-commerce stores, ensuring precise audience targeting and streamlined ad management. This deep integration allows businesses to enhance visibility, drive sales, and scale efficiently within a competitive digital marketplace. The new service is expected to be available on the Salla platform by the second quarter of 2025. Existing Sweply users will continue operating without disruption, as Salla ensures a smooth transition with dedicated support, maintaining the continuity of all active campaigns. Leadership Perspective: Innovation as a Growth Driver Nawaf Hariri, CEO of Salla, commented on the acquisition, stating, "Acquiring Sweply is a testament to our long-term vision of providing innovative and seamless solutions that empower merchants. Our mission at Salla has always been to shape the 'Future of Commerce'—and with Salla Ads, we are unlocking new opportunities for our merchants to thrive in the digital economy. This acquisition is a strategic step toward building a sophisticated advertising ecosystem, enabling sellers to fully capitalise on cutting-edge marketing tools. The trust of our merchants continues to drive our progress, helping us advance Saudi Arabia's digital economy and contribute to the goals of Vision 2030." Wael Hassan, CEO of Sweply, shared his enthusiasm for this next chapter, saying, "Since day one, Sweply has been about helping merchants succeed through smart, data-driven advertising solutions. This acquisition strengthens our shared commitment with Salla to innovation and merchant empowerment. Joining Salla's ecosystem allows us to further enhance advertising solutions that help businesses grow. We look forward to continuing this journey under Salla's leadership, bringing even greater value to merchants across the region." Ebrahim Mansoor Mutahar, co-founder and chief product officer of Sweply, commented, "We are proud of what we have accomplished over the past years, and this acquisition highlights Sweply's significant impact on the market, as well as the strong alignment between our vision and Salla's. Moving forward, we remain committed to delivering cutting-edge technologies that maximise return on ad spend and further expand the digital advertising network, empowering merchants with greater reach and competitiveness in the evolving marketplace." Driving Digital Growth in Saudi Arabia With Saudi Arabia's advertising spending now at SAR 9.5 billion—and with digital channels expected to account for 90% of total expenditure by 2030—this acquisition comes at a pivotal time. The demand for integrated e-commerce and marketing solutions continues to rise, driven by rapid technological advancements and growing digital adoption. Through Salla Ads, Salla is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation, providing businesses with the tools they need to navigate a fast-evolving digital landscape. This strategic move reinforces Saudi Arabia's position as a hub for digital innovation and aligns with Vision 2030's ambition to build a thriving, technology-driven economy.
