Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt blasted the accusations that India were helped by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on their way to the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
“We people are talking a lot about how ICC have favored India, how they scheduled their game in Guyana. If we had scored 42 runs in 42 balls – having eight wickets in hand – those would have been our matches. Let’s not think that since its India, we need to speak something on the matter,” Butt said on Cricket Baithak – a YouTube show.
The 39-year-old, who 33 Tests and 78 ODIs for Pakistan, furthermore praised India and the methodical approach that’s behind the team’s success.
“If we speak professionally and on the basis of merit, they have played better cricket, their cricketing pathways are pretty clear. Their role clarity, leadership, coaching, the way they create bench strength….they have announced squad for the Zimbabwe series recently with all the youngsters and a young captain. They will play a five-Test series against Australia this year, and before it will send their A-team to play four day cricket. So they do all the right things,” Butt added.
Rohit Sharma and Co have made it to three consecutive ICC finals – World Test Championship 2023, ODI World Cup 2023, and now the T20 World Cup.
Butt lambasted the sharp contrast in Pakistan cricket, “We have a series against Bangladesh in Pakistan, and we are going to Australia to play four-day match. That too in Darwin. And then we turn to districts T20 cricket, while Pakistan’s next big event is 50-overs Champions Trophy (2025). Who is our planner? Paper islamiyat ka hota hai, hum taiyaari English ki karte hai (We have an exam of Islamiyat and prepare for English). Whatever we do is irrelevant. And then, we don’t like India winning. This does not present the right mindset,” Butt said.
While India have remained unbeaten on their road to the T20 World Cup final against South Africa, Pakistan’s exit from the group stages has drawn loud criticism from former players. Having lost to the USA and India, the Babar Azam-led side finished with two wins from their four games.
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