Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf are not being used to their full potential by Pakistan: Salman Butt

Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt made a bold claim on the Pakistan pace trio of Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi. He said that had all three pacers played in the better system, they would've gone on to become the most dangerous bowlers in World cricket.

Pakistan National Cricket Team bowlers Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf are amongst the most exciting pacers going around the World cricket. They no doubt are the backbone of the National team and have helped them win some of the big games in all three formats of the game.

But it's fair to say that the Pakistan Cricket Board hasn't been managing their fast bowlers. The trio has been battling with a lot of injuries of late, and apart from this, their performances too have been going down, which has been one of the concerning things for the team.

Shaheen Afridi, for the past few months, has been struggling to get going. The fast bowler has failed to take wickets and also has been leaking a lot of runs. On the other hand, Naseem Shah has been too struggling with his fitness, while Haris Rauf has been used only in the white-ball format.

During an interaction on his YouTube channel, Salman Butt was asked if Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf would've been better players had they played in different countries and under different systems. Replying to this, the former Pakistan cricketer stated that they would've been dangerous and it's not fair to put allegations on them.

He pointed out how Haris Rauf has been utilized by the team only in the T20Is while highlighting that management hasn't prepared him for the other formats. He explained:

"100%. They would have been the most dangerous bowlers in the world. If they had downloaded the right cricket, they would have understood the world of batsmen. It is not fair to put allegations on them. It is not fair to put demands on these kids. We analyze the match. We say Shaheen bowled better than Naseem. What did Haris do? You didn't even build Haris on that platform.

"Coach Aaqib Javed himself says he is a 4-over. Was he born with the banner that he is a 4-over bowler? Ustad ji, you raised him. You did it for your franchise. Fair enough. But what about the kid? You restricted him for his entire life. You put him in a limitation. Now he sees leagues on one side. On the other side, his board tells him to play a Test match. He will remain double-minded. Let me tell every boy."

Salman Butt further stated that players get criticized, but it's not their fault, as the pace trio hasn't been put on the right path. He stressed that the management is not utilising the pacers properly. He explained:

"They get criticized because Pakistan is playing. This is a platform where the public has to talk to them. From fruit vendors to technicians, from the labor class, from rich to rich, from poor to poor. All types of people have to talk to them. Educated people. Even those who are not educated. It is a good thing. It is not good to criticize. There is a lot of criticism. It is good and below the belt. That is a fact. But the real truth is that we have to criticize them because they are players.

"But believe me, it is not their fault. And they are not putting them on the right path yet. Whether they are agents of some people or close mentors. What can I say? You get isolated. It is not their fault. They have gone so far that it is difficult to turn back.'

"They are far from their true potential. They are very far. You are using them like a Suzuki Alto or Toyota Corolla. You see a paddy road and give it a ride. You see a new road and give it Okay? You don't change their tires or rims. You don't get them serviced. You don't maintain them. Okay? You are using them like a rough ride."

You give them different mental tensions - Salman Butt on Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf

Salman Butt further stated that Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf are getting mental tensions as well and they have to deal with different scenarios as well. He stated that if they used to their potential then there would be no stopping. He explained:

"And then you give them different mental tensions. You give them different physical stress and mental stress. And then the communication is zero. They have to deal with people who don't even know what scenario to give them and what scenario not to give them related to NOCs.

"And if they get to know their true potential, then they don't even need to speak. They can just come home and give it to them. But true potential does not mean that they have to face a threat. It means that they should come home and give it to them. It means that you should know where you have to play and where you don't have to play."