We Shouldn’t Talk About Integrity In Pakistan Cricket: Salman Butt
Published - 10 Apr 2020, 02:02 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:05 AM
Tainted Pakistan batsman Salman Butt has lashed out at those demanding a life ban on players who have been penalised for corruption. A few days ago, veteran Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez had said that there was need to have those players back in national colours who have served punishments for spot-fixing.
Hafeez’s comments were aimed at batsman, Sharjeel Khan who is vying for a comeback to the national side after serving a ban for spot-fixing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Hafeez’s statement has caused a stir in Pakistan cricket and Salman Butt could not help but express his views too. The former captain had served a five-year ban between for the spot-fixing scandal that broke out on Pakistan’s tour to England in 2010.
“I really don’t understand why should anyone even speak on this issue and give his opinion because it doesn’t really matter. Bottom line is that only the ICC and PCB should be speaking on this as they make the laws,” Salman Butt was quoted as saying by PTI.
“I know players who have been added to the team because of their connections and there have been several players who have made numerous comebacks without giving any meaningful performances. Are these things different from corruption. We shouldn’t even talk about integrity in Pakistan cricket,” he added.
Salman Butt made his return to domestic cricket in 2016 but unlike Mohammad Amir, he has not been considered for selection in the Pakistan team although he has performed well. Last year, he had played in the PSL too. In 2016, the then head coach Waqar Younis wanted Salman Butt in the team but the then captain of white ball cricket formats, Shahid Afridi opposed having him in the team.
“Punishment implies that once you have served the time, you should be treated like any other player. Where does their integrity go when they are in the mix and working with those people? Or when they endorse players because of their connections,” said Salman Butt.
Before his ban, Salman Butt played in 33 Tests, 78 ODIs and 24 T20Is. He managed to get more than 4,500 international runs across all the formats. He has done decently in Pakistan’s domestic circuit. In his comeback season, he made an instant mark by scoring 536 runs in 7 matches at an average of over 100 for WAPDA in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. During the 2017-18 National T20 Cup, he shared the world record opening partnership of unbeaten 209 runs with Kamran Akmal.
