Former Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt has been recruited as a coach with Singapore’s national squad, according to cricket officials. Salman Butt was banned following a high-profile spot-fixing case.
According to the Singapore Cricket Association (SCA), the 37-year-old has been chosen consultant coach and will add a “rich of knowledge” to the team.
The T20 World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe in July will be his first test.
From 2003 to 2010, the left-handed batter was a member of the Pakistan side, which was embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal during a tour to England.
Read more: Australia’s Shaun Tait appointment as Pakistan’s bowling coach
Salman Butt, who was captain at the time, was accused of arranging deliberate no-balls from his pace bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif in exchange for money during a Lord’s Test.
All the players were banned for five years by UK court.
Only Amir was eligible to return to the Pakistan team after their bans were lifted in 2015.
Butt, who had played 33 Tests, 78 one-day internationals, and 24 Twenty20 matches prior to his suspension, has recently returned to local cricket.
Salman Butt’s abilities and expertise, according to SCA chief executive Saad Khan Janjua, will hopefully motivate the Singapore players ahead of the qualifications.
The Straits Times newspaper quoted Saad as stating, “Butt is an accomplished player with experience who can push the guys to the next level.”
Singapore is not a top international team, but they have recently had some achievement.
They defeated Thailand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong to win the 2020 Asian Cricket Council Eastern region T20 event.
