PAK vs AUS: "Terrible Year For Australia" - Salman Butt Takes Jibe At Mohammad Kaif, Mohammad Hafeez

Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt took a hilarious dig at former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif and Pakistan’s Director of Cricket Mohammad Hafeez for their comments over Australia. He while targeting them said that the World Champions had a terrible year as other teams played better cricket than them and were better on paper.

Australia Cricket Team had a sensational year in all three formats of the game. They achieved all the things that every team dreams of and ended the year high on confidence. Under the leadership of Pat Cummins, they surely were the force to reckon with and were the most threatening side.

Australia first thumped India to win the ICC World Test Championship and a few days later retained the Ashes by thumping England in their own backyard. They had a successful UK tour and returned home with two trophies in their bag.

If this was not enough, Australia then displayed a staggering effort in the ODIs and won the ICC World Cup 2023. They thumped India in the final and clinched their 6th title. They were exceptional in the tournament and after losing two early games, they won all the games on the trot.

After Australia defeated India in the final of the ICC World Cup 2023, former cricketer Mohammad Kafi made a shocking statement, saying that he won’t accept that India after winning 10 games lost the tournament. He added that Men in Blue were stronger on paper than Australia and he couldn’t believe that they lost.

If this was not enough, Pakistan’s Director of Cricket, Mohammad Hafeez too recently made a bizarre statement. After Australia defeated Pakistan in the recently concluded Test at MCG, the former Pakistan skipper said that they played better cricket than the Pat Cummins-led side.

Taking a jibe at those comments, Salman Butt sarcastically said that it wasn’t a great year for Australia. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:

“It has been a terrible year for Australia, as they have not been good on paper. When they won the World Cup, former Indian players said India were the better team on paper, and now, after winning the Test series against Pakistan, Mohammad Hafeez suggested that Pakistan played better.”

Salman Butt further pointed out that Mitchell Starc has been far away from his best in the Tests. He highlighted that left-arm pacer bowl short spells which is why he gets wickets. The former skipper also praised Pat Cummins for his heroics and hailed him as the No.1 bowler. He explained:

“He (Mitchell Starc) bowls a short spell, where he finds a couple of wickets. Otherwise, he has not been consistent. Pat Cummins has been leading Australia’s bowling attack with his captain’s spells. At the moment, he is the No. 1 bowler of the world.”

PAK vs AUS: The only way Pakistan can improve in the long run is by making their players play the longest format regularly – Salman Butt

Salman Butt further added that Pakistan needs to prioritize Test cricket and after that, their cricket will improve. He added that Shan Masood-led side needs to play more games. He added:

“The only way Pakistan can improve in the long run is by making their players play the longest format regularly. Test cricket should be Pakistan’s priority, and should play the same number of Tests that the top three or four teams do. They need to understand that Test cricket is real cricket.”

Salman Butt further lauded skipper Shan Masood for his attacking approach and pointed out that the captain isn’t letting Nathan Lyon settle. He added:

“Shan Masood attacked Nathan Lyon and played him freely in the second Test. Yes, he is a very good bowler, but doesn’t look confident when he bowls to Shan Masood or when someone attacks him.”

Shan Masood has played with a positive approach and slammed two half-centuries in the last game. He would be hoping to go one step ahead and score big in the next game.

The third Test between Australia and Pakistan will be played from 3rd January at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Although the Shan Masood-led side has lost the series, they would be hoping to win the last game and bag important WTC Points.