The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday confirmed the appointment of former cricketers Kamran Akmal, Rao Iftikhar Anjum and Salman Butt as consultant members to the newly-appointed chief selector Wahab Riaz.
The PCB in a press release confirmed that the three members will take charge of their roles with immediate effect and their first task would be the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
“The PCB has confirmed the appointment of former Pakistan cricketers Kamran Akmal, Rao Iftikhar Anjum and Salman Butt as consultant members to chief selector Wahab Riaz,” the cricket board said in a brief statement.
“The three have assumed their responsibilities in the selection panel with immediate effect. Their first assignment as consultant members to the chief selector includes the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, set to commence on January 12, 2024, following the conclusion of the Test tour to Australia.
“When not engaged in selection duties, the consultant members may be assigned additional tasks such as conducting skills camps.”
Kamran Akmal was part of the Pakistan squad which clinched the 2009 T20 World Cup at Lord’s. The wicketkeeper batter represented the Green Shirts in 268 international matches where he amassed 6,871 runs across formats with 11 tons and 27 half-centuries to his name.
Salman Butt wore Pakistan’s jersey in 135 international matches as the former left-handed opener scored 5,209 runs across formats with 11 centuries and 27 50s.
Rao Iftikhar’s career with Pakistan was short as the right-handed medium pacer only featured in 65 international matches for his country where he managed to bag 78 wickets across formats.
It must be noted that the PCB had been heavily active since November as many big changes were made including the change in management as well as the team.
It all started on November 15, when Babar Azam stepped down as the captain from all formats following his meeting with PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf after he was only offered to keep the Test captaincy.
Soon after his resignation, the PCB named new captains for Test and T20I cricket with Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi taking the realm of respective formats.
The PCB then appointed former cricketer Mohammad Hafeez as the director of the team while Wahab Riaz assumed the role of chief selector.
Another former pacer Sohail Tanveer was named the head of the junior selection committee while legendary batter Mohammad Yousuf was given the responsibility of coaching Pakistan’s U19 team.
