Every team in T20 World Cup is doing ball tampering- Salman Butt takes 1 step ahead in the Inzamam-ul-Haq controversy

Former Pakistani opener Salman Butt appeared to be taking the side of Rohit Sharma and said that Inzamam-ul-Haq was wrong about his assumption.

The feud, which is catching a lot of heat now on social media, started after former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq made a bizarre comment. Inzamam was speaking on a Pakistani channel's live TV show and therein he made a cryptic allegation about Indian captain Rohit Sharma committing ball tampering. 

What exactly happened between Inzamam-ul-Haq and Rohit Sharma? 

Inzamam-ul-Haq spoke from his observation that Arshdeep Singh's 15th over against England looked uncanny as the ball started to reverse swing.

He felt that such a swing cannot take place naturally and that there was something artificial about it, hinting towards the fact that Rohit Sharma and co. are tampering with the ball.

The comments made by Inzamam-ul-Haq spread like wildfire and it was also told to Rohit Sharma during a press conference.

Upon hearing those comments, Rohit said that it is common sense that the ball will reverse swing when the conditions are so hot and humid. The Indian captain didn't say anything beyond that. 

Then a few days later, Inzamam-ul-Haq was made aware of Rohit Sharma's response and the former did not back down from responding once again.

He stated that Pakistani bowlers are the ones who invented the reverse swing and that he doesn't have to know from Rohit as to why the ball is moving unnaturally. 

What did Salman Butt say?

While speaking on a recent chat show, Salman Butt expressed his shock to hear such comments from his former captain himself. Butt claimed that he would refrain from saying anything about it but reverse swing is something every team does.

The former opener explained that since batters smack the ball so hard, it ends up going to the stands and hits the edge of the seats as well as balls.

In that case, the ball might get rough on one side and shiny on the other and that's how reverse swing happens.

Salman Butt also spoke about the tactical aspect of it, claiming that many bowlers have learned how to make the ball go reverse. Butt admitted that it is not a rocket science and not even a secret. 

Lastly, Salman Butt said that Inzamam-ul-Haq did not need to say it, given his experience and the respect he has earned from the game.

"So I think this a tactic. Batters hit the ball out of the park which ends up hitting the edge of a seat and walls. Due to that reason, let's say the ball gets rough, and when one side is kept smooth while the other remains rough that is enough for a reverse swing. This is not no rocket science."

"It can also be a tactical decision, the rough side falls on the ground while the shiny side remains on top, every player knows about it. So I think skipper did not have to say it, given his stature and the experience he earned from his career." - Salman Butt said.  

Watch the video

Salman Butt on ball tampering controversy. Must listen he makes so much sense.

“Inzi shouldn’t have said it. Everyone does this nowadays when 🇵🇰 used to do it they called it ball tampering & when everyone learned it they called it art of reverse swing.”
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— M (@anngrypakiistan) June 28, 2024