PAK vs NZ: Salman Butt Lashes Out At Shahid Afridi-led Selection Panel For “Sending Boys From PJL To Pakistan's Dressing Room”

Former Pakistan National Cricket Team captain Salman Butt has lashed out at the Shahid Afridi-led selection committee for including three youngsters, who performed well in the Pakistan Junior League (PJL), in the Test squad of Pakistan for the ongoing series against New Zealand.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently underwent major changes with the arrival of a new chairman – Najam Sethi – and a new interim chief of the Men’s Selection Committee – Shahid Afridi. Also, Abdul Razzaq and Rao Iftikhar Anjum joined Afridi on the panel.

IPL 2023 | Sri Lanka Tour Of India 2023 | Dream11 Prediction | Fantasy Cricket Tips | Cricket Match Prediction Today | Cricket News | Cricket Live Score | New Zealand tour of India 2023 | Australia Tour Of India 2023 

Shahid Afridi-led selection committee took a rather uncommon decision as they added three youngsters – all-rounder Arafat Minhas, top-order batter Basit Ali and right-arm fast bowler Mohammad Zeeshan – to the Test squad.

Afridi had told that the three youngsters will not be available for selection and several fans and experts were left surprised by the decision of the selection committee.

IPL 2023 | India National Cricket Team | IND vs SL 2023 | India vs Sri Lanka 2023 | IND vs NZ 2023 | India vs New Zealand 2023 | IND vs AUS 2023 | India vs Australia 2023

“Although the three players will not be available for selection, this initiative will fast track their progress and provide them better awareness, understanding and knowledge about the rigours and demands of top-grade cricket.” Afridi had said.

But what happens here? You will get into the team through PJL – Salman Butt

In a video shared on his official YouTube channel, Salman Butt highlighted that the BCCI has made it mandatory for emerging players to play a substantial domestic season to be eligible for selection to the national team and said that in Pakistan, players are being drafted into squad based on performances in PJL.

Butt said that Pakistan’s dressing room in Test cricket is only for the players who have performed well in first-class cricket.

“BCCI says that in the emerging category, you need to have a substantial domestic experience. But what happens here? You will get into the team through PJL. That was the mindset. Even now, you are sending boys from PJL to Pakistan’s dressing room for ‘experience’. Remember, Pakistan’s Test match dressing room is the right of a first-class performer, it has nothing to do with performances in T20s across any age group. You need to look at that,” said Butt on his official YouTube channel.

“You can appreciate them. But give them opportunities according to what they’ve achieved, for god’s sake,” said the former Pakistan skipper further.

The first Test between New Zealand and Pakistan ended in a draw. The second Test commenced on January 2 in Karachi. After the Test series, the teams will be involved in a three-match ODI series on January 9, 11 and 13.

Also Read: “Kya Hum Sab Servant Rahenge India Ke, Kyunki Woh Ek World Power Hain” – Ramiz Raja Slams Najam Sethi Over India Relationship

Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | Rishabh Pant | KL Rahul | Suryakumar Yadav | Sanju Samson | Shreyas Iyer | Yuzvendra Chahal | Jasprit Bumrah