Shakeel Sheikh, a former member of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee, has disclosed that the caretaker prime minister, Anwarul Haq Kakar, had to step in to address individuals implicated in the ‘spot-fixing’ scandal. Sheikh emphasized the controversial appointment and subsequent removal of Salman Butt as a consultant to PCB chief selector Wahab Riaz.

In a statement, Sheikh, with over 35 years of association with the board, expressed concern about the PCB’s current state, describing it as a ‘bad situation.’ He revealed that PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf has hired 70 to 80 individuals, many with salaries exceeding one million rupees, without the proper authority.

Sheikh criticized the surprising salary of Mohammad Hafeez, stating that he is being paid one lakh rupees per day despite lacking coaching experience or qualifications. He raised questions about corruption within the PCB, suggesting a need for a thorough investigation into its financial affairs.

Calling on the caretaker government to ensure merit-based appointments without political pressure, Sheikh pointed out the under-the-table selling of media rights worth 10 to 15 billion rupees. He underscored Zaka Ashraf’s association with the People’s Party and stressed the need for neutral appointments, emphasizing that the caretaker government should intervene to address administrative issues and appoint a chairman who understands cricket.

Sheikh urged the caretaker prime minister to investigate PCB’s financial matters and accused Zaka Ashraf of running the board like a monarchy. He emphasized the importance of keeping individuals involved in spot-fixing away from cricket, citing the caretaker PM’s intervention in Salman Butt’s case due to public backlash.

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