in 1982 butt was appointed manager for the pakistani winter tour of australia, and in 1984 the secretary of the then board of control for cricket in pakistan, a position he held until 1988 along with the presidency of the lahore city cricket association. in october 2008 he was named chairman of the pakistan cricket board. his initial actions were to suggest the possibility of neutral venues to preserve international cricket during a time of tenuous security conditions within pakistan: "the holding of the champions trophy in pakistan depends on the security condition of the country and if the current indefinite situation prevails further we may consider the option to play on alternate venues." he expressed relief when the 2009 champions trophy appeared to be going ahead in pakistan despite security risks, and "made a series of startling revelations" about discussions with the international cricket council about merging with the indian premier league.