Salman Butt Responds to English Criticism of Pakistan Test Team
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has responded strongly to criticism from English media and former players following Pakistan’s heavy defeat to England at Headingley.
Pakistan lost the opening Test by an innings and 103 runs. The defeat gave England a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
However, Butt said the criticism of Pakistan’s team had gone too far.
Butt Hits Back at The Telegraph and Former Players
The Telegraph described Pakistan as fielding its worst team in 50 years.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan went further. He called Pakistan “the weakest team to have ever toured England.”
Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad also described Pakistan as a “poor” side.
Butt addressed those comments during an interview.
“The things being said, the way The Telegraph wrote that this is the worst-ever team in the last 50 years and some of their players have also made similar statements,” Butt said.
He argued that Pakistan had never presented itself as a world-class team.
“The point is, we never said that we are world champions. We never said that we are a great team, nor did we make any big claims about ourselves.”
Butt said that, regardless of its current level, the team remains Pakistan’s own.
“Our team may be whatever it is, even it is the worst ever, but it is still our team,” he said.
Butt Questions England’s Team Composition
Butt also turned his attention towards England’s squad and its diverse player backgrounds.
He argued that Pakistan’s team comes entirely from its own domestic cricket system.
“It is not a Commonwealth team. It is not a team where the captain is from Ireland, the wicketkeeper is from South Africa, the middle-order batsman is from South Africa, one player is from Scotland, another is from Australia, and someone else is from the West Indies Under-19 team who has been picked and placed here,” Butt said.
He added that Pakistan’s current side was not assembled from players from different cricket systems.
“This is our team. It is not a team made up of players from here and there. If there is any doubt about that, go and check it.”
Butt also stressed that every cricket team can go through difficult periods.
“Teams go through phases. Sometimes teams don’t perform well,” he added.
Stuart Broad Stands by His Comments
Meanwhile, Stuart Broad has stood by his criticism of Pakistan despite receiving backlash from Pakistani fans.
Speaking on a recent podcast with former England captain Jos Buttler, Broad again predicted a 3-0 series victory for England.
“Pakistan are a poor side and England should win this series 3-0. If they don’t, it would be an absolute disaster,” Broad said.
Broad said he had not changed his opinion after Pakistan’s defeat in the first Test.
“I haven’t changed my opinion on that at all. England should win this Test series 3-0, they’ve simply got a stronger side.”
Broad Points to Pakistan’s Pace Attack
Broad also argued that Pakistan’s current team lacks the pace and flair associated with previous generations.
However, he praised Mohammad Abbas and described him as Pakistan’s best bowler.
Broad said Abbas could earn a place in most Test teams around the world.
He was less impressed by the rest of Pakistan’s pace attack. According to Broad, Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad do not pose the same level of threat.
