Shahid Afridi Blocked My Return To International Cricket, Claims Salman Butt

After the infamous match-fixing incident, Salman Butt has seen the wrong side of things in every phase of his life. He was booed by the public for trying to cheat his own country. However, Mohammad Amir’s return has motivated Butt to give one more shot at his favourite sport. Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi, who was the captain at that time, ignored him.

Salman Butt has registered great tallies to his name in the domestic circuit to push his place in the national team. He was also asked to attend the net sessions in the national cricket academy but unfortunately, his false actions haunted him again.

Shahid Afridi resisted after Waqar Younis assured me a place – Salman Butt

The former Pakistan opener claimed that Waqar Younis and Grant Flower has assured him a place in the ICC T20I World Cup under Shahid Afridi captaincy. But, surprisingly, Afridi blocked the way for his while picking the squad.

Butt went on to add saying that he doesn’t know what prompted Afridi to do that. Further, Salman also revealed that he doesn’t even have a chat with Shahid Afridi regarding that. And also, Butt surprised that he was left in uncertainty regarding his selection back in the side.

“I was called to the NCA by the head coach, Waqar Younis and batting coach, Grant Flower and they took me to the nets and checked my fitness,” Butt said on the Gsports show Tuesday night. “Waqar bhai asked me if I was mentally ready to play for Pakistan again and I said yes very much.”

“I don’t know what prompted him to do this but I didn’t go to him or speak about it. I didn’t feel it was right. But what I know is that Waqar and Flower told me I was playing the World Cup and then Afridi resisted. If no one comes clear with us and tells us no matter what we do. We are not going to be picked for Pakistan again. I don’t see the use of working so hard and doing so much if we are left to remain in uncertainty,” Butt claimed.

Well, it is a surprising revelation by Salman Butt over his return back to the national team. It would be interesting to see how things would pan out for Butt furtherly, especially, after the latest interview.