"I Recall When India Visited Pakistan In 2004, Our 'A' Team Had Actually Defeated Them": Salman Butt Makes Huge Remark

Salman Butt, a former captain of Pakistan, made a significant statement while discussing India’s 2004 tour of Pakistan.

Due to political tensions between both countries, India and Pakistan cricket matches are currently limited to continental (Asia Cup) and international (ICC) tournaments.

Five One-Day Internationals and three Test matches were played during India’s historic bilateral tour of Pakistan in 2004. Since the Kargil conflict in 1999, this was the first bilateral series between the two nations; however, India and Pakistan had previously faced off in the 2003 World Cup and other multi-team competitions.

India defeated Pakistan in the ODI series 3-2, but the Sourav Ganguly-led team won the Test series 2-1. The visitors, however, suffered a severe shock in their opening match of the tour against Pakistan ‘A’.

After being given the opportunity to bat first by Taufeeq Umar, India put up a massive score of 335/6 in fifty overs; in response, Pakistan ‘A’ chased down the target with six wickets and 24 balls to spare. At the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the Pakistan ‘A’ batters destroyed the Indian bowlers, with Umar smashing 104 and Imran Nazir scoring 65 off just 32 deliveries.

I remember India came to Pakistan in 2004: Salman Butt

Salman Butt, a former captain of Pakistan, recalled the match while contrasting the current state of domestic cricket in his nation with Pakistan’s bench strength in 2004.

“I recall India visiting Pakistan in 2004.” In a warm-up match, they faced Pakistan ‘A.’ And Pakistan ‘A’ had defeated the Indian team. Imran Nazir had some good runs, and the game was played at the Gaddafi Stadium. The game was high-scoring. Do you have a system in place to prepare a team like that right now?” Butt said on his official YouTube channel.

“It used to be there. I have gone to South Africa with the ‘A’ teams. Even U19 tours used to take place. Now there are none. Who is to blame? What have you brought to the system? There’s a lot to answer, but no one wants to answer,” Butt said.