Tag: Salman Butt

FAISALABAD: Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt was named in the star-studded commentary panel for the upcoming Champions One-Day Cup.

The five-team tournament will be played at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from 12 September to 29 September.

Besides Salman Butt, the commentary panel features Sikander Bakht, Marina Iqbal, Ali Younis, and Shah Faisal. Meanwhile, Meesha Imran will serve as the presenter.

The Champions One-Day Cup will feature the country’s top cricketers. This 50-over tournament will be played in a single-league format.

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All matches will commence at 3 pm, except for the Lions vs Panthers match on 16 September, which will start at 9:30 am.

It’s worth noting that five teams will be mentored by stalwarts such as Misbah-ul-Haq (Wolves), Saqlain Mushtaq (Panthers), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Dolphins), Shoaib Malik (Stallions) and Waqar Younis (Lions).

Champions One-Day Cup Schedule

12 Sep – Wolves v Panthers

13 Sep – Stallions v Lions

14 Sep – Dolphins v Panthers

15 Sep – Wolves v Stallions

16 Sep – Lions v Panthers

17 Sep – Dolphins v Wolves

19 Sep – Stallions v Dolphins

20 Sep – Lions v Wolves

21 Sep – Panthers v Stallions

22 Sep – Dolphins v Lions

24 Sep – Qualifier (Team No.1 v Team No. 2)

25 Sep – Eliminator 1 (Team No.3 v Team No.4)

27 Sep – Eliminator 2 (Losing Qualifier v Winning Eliminator 2)

29 Sep – Final

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Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has identified the two key reasons behind the ongoing struggles of star batter Babar Azam.

Babar has been going through a rough patch, having scored 53 runs across three innings in the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh.

Salman Butt, during an interview with a local sports channel, pointed out the reasons behind the criticism of Babar.

“There are two reasons (why Babar is facing so much heat). No doubt, he is currently Pakistan’s best batter and, I think, the most consistent player of the decade,” said Salman.

“But the problem is that when a player struggled earlier, they were more out of form than Babar.

“There were 4-5 other players who used to win matches, so everyone’s respect used to be saved and it was covered.

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“Now the problem is that Babar has scored so much, then he is the only one who scores most of the runs for Pakistan. There is no one with him who can match him.”

Salman Butt further stressed the importance of Babar Azam as the most important player on the team, stating that the whole batting lineup comes under pressure when he fails.

“You can see, the day he doesn’t run, you know that the Pakistan team will not win the match,” he added.

He also highlighted the management’s flaw in not developing technically sound batters and focusing more on the power-hitting ability of the batters.

“So, this is the problem of Pakistan that you did not develop the players. You tried to develop everyone on the basis of power-hitting, the basis of playing openly. And now you don’t have players with the right techniques,” he concluded.

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Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt highlighted the shortcomings that led to the national men’s team’s shocking defeat against Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match series in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan suffered their first-ever defeat against Bangladesh in Tests when they succumbed to a 10-wicket defeat in the opening Test of the two-match series, underway in Rawalpindi.

Following the defeat, several strategies came under question; such as going with an all-pace attack, declaration and batting failure in the second innings.

Pakistan, after being put into bat first, accumulated 448/6 and declared their first innings in the dying minutes of the second day. Bangladesh, in response, piled up a mammoth total of 565, courtesy of Mushfiqur Rahim’s marathon 191-run knock, before bundling out in the third session of the fourth day.

The first Test was assumed to be heading towards a draw but Pakistan’s batting lineup faltered against Bangladesh’s spinners on the final day and could score 146, setting the visitors a meagre 30-run target.

Reacting to the defeat, Pakistan’s Assistant coach Azhar Mahmood blamed the pitch for behaving opposite to the expectation.

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Meanwhile, Salman Butt was of the view that the pitch was not the issue and highlighted that the national team faltered in all departments. He also drew a comparison between the pace of Bangladesh and Pakistan’s fast bowlers.

“Where should I start? Playing four fast bowlers, the declaration, the line and length, everything went wrong. I think this is the first time that the average speed of Bangladesh bowlers was higher than ours. They looked more fit than us. Our junior fast bowlers did better than our senior ones. So, there is a list of mistakes made by the team. Where should we start? Who should we pick and blame because the list goes on,” said Butt.

“Pitch was not the issue. The quality of bowling was. Our bowling coach said that the pitch didn’t turn out the way we wanted. Bowlers also said that the pitch was not good. How does that make sense? especially when Pakistan got bowled out inside two sessions. Their pacers got the wickets of our top-order batters before the spinners took the responsibility in the middle. So, this is a long list of mismanagement and incompetence,” he added.

READ: “Pakistan in a mess,” says Michael Vaughan after Bangladesh defeat

Former Test captain Salman Butt has opened up about Waqar Younis returning to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a major role.

Waqar has recently taken charge as Adviser for Cricket Affairs to the PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, according to reports.

The former head coach will oversee all the decisions regarding international and domestic selection committees, players’ No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and other important cricket matters in his new role.

Meanwhile, Naqvi’s responsibilities are limited to overseeing administrative affairs, with a current emphasis on addressing the organizational issues related to the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

During an interview with a local sports outlet, Salman Butt wished Waqar well for his new role, while acknowledging his legendary status in Pakistan cricket.

“Waqar bhai has been my coach and is a legendary cricketer, there is no doubt about that. I am not in a position to advise him, I wish him all the very best for this role,” Butt said.

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Butt also emphasized that Waqar’s new role is distinct from his previous position as a coach and requires a positive vision and decisive decision-making. He encouraged the former captain to take the necessary steps to steer Pakistan cricket in the right direction.

“I really hope this time around he makes some decisions. He should do what is necessary and get it done. I think he should make correct decisions; if he has the vision, implement it,” he further added.

“Don’t go after people who have been there for ages and have done nothing. I think it’s a huge opportunity for him, not an easy one certainly. If he is able to make correct decisions, something better might come up.”

Previously, another former captain Younis Khan, during an interaction with the media on Wednesday, backed PCB Chairman Naqvi’s decision to hand the reigns of the cricket affairs to Waqar Younis.

“I’ve played under Waqar Younis and I think it’s a good sign that he’s coming back to the cricket board,” said Younis. “He has the opportunity to solve the [cricketing] issues.”

Younis further commented on the recent dip in the Pakistan men’s cricket team’s performance and emphasized the need to improve the infrastructure.

“Pakistan’s performance used to be on the top in the past. I think we need to work on our infrastructure,” Younis said.

READ: Sri Lanka head coach reveals reason behind series loss against India

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt lashed out at the management for mishandling Shaheen Shah Afridi’s alleged altercation with batting coach Mohammad Yousuf ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Butt appeared at ARY News’ show Sports Room and was asked whether the authorities would take any action against the left-arm pacer for his alleged misconduct.

Salman Butt, in response, emphasized that the management should have taken action straightaway but instead, they kept on selecting Shaheen Afridi for every World Cup fixture.

“Look, the time for taking an action has been passed. Since I was not there with the team I don’t know [whether it is true]. These are reports and the people who gave the report, we expect them to make a decision there,” said Butt.

“If the management thinks that Shaheen was not implementing the plans and was not cooperating with them intentionally then they should have taken action.

“If he was not disciplined then they should have dropped him and opted to go with some other player.

“But, if you gave him full opportunity despite all these issues and are now complaining I think, anybody can do that. What’s the point of appointing [big names] with hefty salaries?” Salman Butt questioned.

“Management’s job is not to complain but to take action,” he concluded.

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According to recent reports, Shaheen engaged in a heated argument with batting coach Mohammad Yousuf during the team’s tour ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Sources asserted that the incident occurred during Pakistan’s net practice at Headingley when Shaheen engaged in a verbal exchange with the former batter.

The batting coach pointed towards Shaheen Afridi’s continuous no-balls in the nets, they added.

However, the pacer got furious and told Mohammad Yousuf to let him practice and not intervene in his bowling.

According to sources, Shaheen later apologised to the batting coach while the team management also reprimanded him for his misconduct.

However, the incident was termed the heat of the moment and the chapter was closed after Shaheen Afridi apologised to Mohammad Yousuf.

READ: Salman Butt names ideal candidate for Pakistan’s all-format captaincy

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt threw his weight behind Test captain Shan Masood to lead the side in all formats.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Salman Butt stressed the need for a strategic approach while criticising the current leadership before going on to back Shan Masood for the all-format captaincy of the national team.

“There is some fuss because of which despite having skill, players haven’t been able to execute. There is someone who doesn’t have any strategy for planning but still has a lot of attitude. To silence that attitude, I would definitely make Shan Masood the captain,” Butt said.

For the unversed, Masood was given the reigns of the Test team after Pakistan’s dismal campaign at the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 which led to Babar Azam stepping down as the all-format captain.

He has thus far led the side in a three-match away Test series against Australia, which concluded in January this year.

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The Green Shirts suffered a 3-0 whitewash against the dominant hosts but Masood’s captaincy was lauded.

It is worth mentioning that Pakistan are set to embark on a busy home international season with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

The Test series will commence on August 21 in Rawalpindi before concluding on September 3 in Karachi.

Pakistan will host England for three Tests in Multan (7-11 October), Karachi (15-19 October) and Rawalpindi (24-28 October), and the West Indies will visit for two Tests in Karachi (16-20 January) and Multan (24-28 January).

Additionally, Pakistan will host an ODI tri-series, featuring New Zealand and South Africa, scheduled in Multan from 8-14 February.

Bangladesh last played a Test in Pakistan in February 2020, while England swept the three-Test series in December 2022. The 2025 series will also mark the West Indies’ first Test tour to Pakistan since November 2006 when Brian Lara captained the side against Inzamam-ul-Haq men.

READ: Shan Masood dodges hit-wicket, run-out in T20 Blast

Former cricketer Salman Butt termed the International Cricket Council (ICC) responsible to ensure India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan.

The former Pakistan captain emphasized that if India do not come to Pakistan to partake in the event then it will be the apex cricketing body’s problem.

“If they come, then they welcome, if they don’t, the ICC has to deal with it. We will find out if they can just deal with all the other countries or can do the same with India as well. It will show how much authority they have as a regulator and how neutral they can be,” stated Butt on his YouTube channel.

Reportedly, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah had allegedly given a green signal regarding the Indian team’s participation in the Champions Trophy, citing his remarks that India target the World Test Championship (WTC) and Champions Trophy after T20 World Cup 2024 triumph.

“The way this team is progressing, our target is to win the World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there,” the Press Trust of India (PTI) quoted Shah.

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However, Salman Butt is of the view that Jay Shah did not give any signal regarding India’s participation in the Champions Trophy.

“We try sensationalizing everything. There have been a few reports suggesting that Jay Shah has given a positive signal. However, I don’t think he’s given any signals,” said Butt.

“I wouldn’t have been excited even if there had been a signal from him because it is the ICC’s duty to ensure that all teams visit Pakistan,” he added.

ALSO READ: Former India cricketer calls Babar Azam “selfish”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (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 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 12 January 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, in a 15-year career from 2002 to 2017, played 53 Tests, 157 ODIs and 58 T20Is.

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The former wicketkeeper-batter amassed 6,871 runs across formats and bagged 453 dismissals behind the stumps.

He was a member of the Pakistan team that won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 at Lord’s, along with his fellow consultants Rao Iftikhar and Salman Butt.

Rao Iftikhar played a Test, 62 ODIs and two T20Is from 2004 to 2010 and took a total of 78 international wickets.

Former Test captain Salman Butt represented Pakistan in 33 Tests, 78 ODIs and 24 T20Is.

He made 5,209 runs spanning the three formats with 11 international centuries.

Notably, former fast bowler Wahab Riaz was appointed as the chief selector of the national men’s selection committee last month.

Wahab Riaz in his first assignment selected Pakistan’s 18-member Test squad for the three-match Test series against Australia from 14 December to 7 January in Australia.

Wahab, who made his international debut in 2008, represented Pakistan in 27 Tests, 91 ODIs and 36 T20Is picking up 237 wickets and scoring 1200 runs across the three formats.

He was Pakistan’s second-most successful bowler in World Cups, registering 35 wickets across three editions of the marquee event.

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KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain – Sarfaraz Ahmed, who is currently leading Quetta Gladiators in the ongoing seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), hits back after Salman Butt’s criticism.

Taking to Twitter, Sarfaraz responded to Salman’s criticism without mentioning his name and called him the fixer.

“The fixer who sold his country is giving a speech about intention,” he wrote.

Pakistan ko on duty beachne wala fixer jub niyat pe bhashan dega phir to Allah he Hafiz hai .#justsying

— Sarfaraz Ahmed (@SarfarazA_54) February 2, 2022

 

Salman, in an interview on his YouTube channel, criticized Sarfaraz for his performance and his attitude on the field.

“The way he reacts, the way he talks, I think it’s not good. He does not talk but shouts, does not consult but imposes his decisions” Salman said.

Salman also mentioned the incident when Naseem Shah was seen requesting Sarfaraz to set a fielder at a certain point but, the captain turned down his request.

Salman further advised Sarfaraz to leave other players and focus on his performance since the former captain has been travelling with the team as a second-choice wicketkeeper.

READ: ‘Used to bowl without shoes and got injured’ Naseem recalls his journey

Lahore: Cricketer Salman Butt is now on a mission to become a match referee after he took part in the online Level-1 Umpiring course for umpires and match officials which began on Monday.
As many as 49 cricketers were part of the course, including international players Abdul Rauf and Bilal Asif

A total of 350 personnel are taking part in the course and they are being provided training by the match referees from PCB’s Elite and Supplementary panels.

The participants will be provided knowledge about the basic umpiring rules, regulations and laws of the game before undergoing written tests, fitness tests and interviews.

This initiative is part of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s promise to increase the employment opportunities for former cricketers and the candidates who successfully complete the course will be eligible to officiate club and school games.

The PCB opened the registration in April for the course.

Read: ‘I have been told that I am not in PCB’s future plans’ claims Salman Butt