Salman Butt makes a bold statement on Pakistan Cricket Board
Salman Butt (Image Source: Twitter)
Former Pakistani batter, Salman Butt has batted for more result-oriented match at home ahead of the team’s Test series against West Indies. Butt has led the Men in Green in 2010 and has also played 33 matches in the longest format of the game for his nation. This was before he was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board for his involvement in the infamous spot-fixing scandal.
From his experience of leading the team, Butt has spoken about the thinking of a skipper when matches are played on pitches that are hard to break. The former opener reckons captaincy skills of a player are put to a greater test in the longest format of the game. He reckons that the type of pitches that are made in Pakistan takes away everything from the captain as far as strategies are concerned. Butt also stated that the current skipper of the Pakistan team, Babar Azam will improve as time passes and he gains experience in the role.
“You can look at the pitch and say that spinners will play. A result is difficult to achieve even till the fifth day. One has to wait till the end to see if the pitch breaks. This doesn’t test a captain’s skill,” – said Butt as quoted by India Today.
“To do that, go and win in England. Or give tougher teams a run for their money. A captain’s skills and tactical ability are visible more in Test cricket and ODIs, which we play very less. Test cricket gives the best chance to see a captain’s ability but the kind of pitches we make at home, it takes everything away from a captain in terms of strategy,”- Butt further added.
The comments on the pitches in Pakistan by Butt probably come on the back of the flat decks that were seen during Australia’s tour of Pakistan earlier this year. Two of the three Tests played during the series ended in tame draws, while the first test did not even see the completion of all the innings in the match. The Chairman of the PCB, Ramiz Raza defended the dead pitches stating that they did not want to prepare bouncy and pacy pitches playing into the strength of the touring party.
