Shoaib Akhtar makes explosive call for Pakistan to select disgraced spot fixer Salman Butt for Boxing Day Test

FORMER express fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has made the explosive call for Pakistan to fly in the disgraced architect of their spot fixing debacle for the Boxing Day Test.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt at an inquiry in 2010.

FORMER express fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has made the explosive call for Pakistan to fly in the disgraced architect of their spot fixing debacle for the Boxing Day Test.

Salman Butt has recently had his five-year ban lifted after spending time in jail for systematically cheating the game and has returned with a century in domestic first-class cricket.

Butt was the ringleader of an illegal ring of cheats that included a then 17-year-old Mohammad Amir, who has already been welcomed back with open arms as the spearhead of the Pakistani attack.

However, former Australian greats have slammed as reprehensible any push for Butt to be immediately rushed back as Pakistan’s batting saviour after their calamitous collapse at the Gabba.

If an SOS was issued to the shamed 32-year-old, the reaction of the current Australian team could be fierce.

Shoaib Akhtar (R) and Salman Butt at the WACA in 2004.

Butt was the Pakistan captain when he brought the game into disrepute with his actions at Lord’s in 2010 when he ordered the deliberate bowling of no-balls.

With three Test tons and 21 first-class hundreds to his name, Butt has been hailed as the man to rescue fading Pakistan hopes on this tour.

“Salman has served the ban and every bit of trouble that he had is in the past,” said Pakistan’s great fast bowler Akhtar.

“They need to get him back into the team as soon as possible and get him there immediately. He has suffered enough and people who have suffered enough should be forgiven. Now he is free to play and we should allow him to do so.”

Back in 1995, match-fixer Saleem Malik’s return to Australian shores was greeted by mobs of camera crews at the airport, before he was trailed to his hotel by media crews – creating scenes of mass hysteria across Brisbane and Sydney where he played.

Muddying the waters for cricket is the fact that Amir has been allowed to play Test cricket again after his role in the 2010 scandal.

Pakistani cricket fans hold an effigy of Salman Butt.

Former fast bowling ace Ryan Harris says he is undecided about whether Amir deserves his second chance – but is adamant that as ringleader and captain, Butt should never be welcomed back into Test cricket.

“I’m not a big fan of it to be honest,” Harris said on Fox Sports News of the push to bring back Butt.

“I know Mohammad Amir is playing here and I’m 50-50 on that.

“I obviously don’t think he should be here but he was 17 years old he was quite young. Whether that was an excuse I’m still trying to work that out myself.

“But Salman Butt the captain who told his players to go out and cheat, there’s no room for that in the game. I’m not sure how the opposition players would take playing against him for one, but definitely not.

“I know he’s done the crime, done the time, but I still think that was a pretty lenient time, five years.”

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt at an inquiry in 2010.

Pakistan was completely embarrassed by Australia under lights at the Gabba, and the spotlight has been shone on veteran batsmen Younis Khan and captain Misbah ul-Haq who are 39 and 42 years of age respectively.

Even coach Mickey Arthur conceded he had concerns about the ability of his leader’s to fight back after their meek dismissals in Brisbane and poor performances recently in New Zealand.

“I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a little doubt in my mind,” Arthur told ABC.

“But I had that doubt in England (earlier in the year) and I saw Younis come out and play exceptionally well, albeit against a different attack. I’m backing him in for the time being. Younis Khan is just a complete professional.

“I’ve seen Misbah do it time and time again.”

Revered former Test batsman Mike Hussey said the sound of Butt’s name being linked to a Pakistani return on Australian shores made him sick in the stomach.

“If I’m being honest it doesn’t sit right with me,” Hussey told Fox.

“Some will argue that he has done his time and he should be able to come back in much like Mohammad Amir but you’ve got to remember Mohammad Amir was a 17 year old kid being directed by Salman Butt to do the wrong thing.

“I’ve got a bit more sympathy for Amir but Salman Butt it doesn’t really sit right with me to have him back playing international cricket.”