Makes no sense: Salman Butt and T20Is

[acewings]

Pakistan didn't lose the 2010 T20 semi-final in the final over. They lost it in the first. Getting a first ball duck in T20I's is perfectly acceptable; it's actually quite normal. But playing out a maiden over simply has no justification. Salman Butt is as alien to T20I's as Imran Nazir is to Tests.

This is not a scathing criticism of Butt; I personally think he is Pakistan's best opener right now, and I fully support his appointment as the team's vice captain. But even Justin Langer didn't play the shorter formats. Salman Butt's style of play is very, very handy in ODI's, and perhaps essential in Tests, but counter productive in T20 cricket. Here there is no such concept as getting your eye in, or playing out a certain bowler, or keeping wickets in hand. Showing respect has no meaning in this format. Here, the norm is "to attack every delivery as [the batsman's] first priority, hoping to score multiple runs. [Ian Chappell, cricinfo blogs] With a mere strike rate of 108.2, your eventual score is only going to be 130 in 20 overs, which is nothing at all. What this means is that guy at the other end will have to provide all the acceleration, and this puts unnecessary pressure on the team. (Again, this is the equivalent of a golden duck in the other two formats.)

People could argue that hey, Butt is the guy who can rotate the strike, and not consume dot balls. His job is to hold the innings together and keep one end secure for most of the innings. However, another look at the stats and that argument falls to pieces. Butt has faced exactly 551 deliveries in 21 innings in his T20I career, which averages 4 overs, or 24 balls, per innings. His batting average is just a touch above 29. What this means is that at the end of four overs, your score is a mere 29/1, with a new guy at the crease who can't take any risks for the remaining two PP overs because to lose a second wicket would be treason. And if you lose the battle in the PP, you've more or less lost the game. And what's the point of batting through 20 overs anyway? Surely, anything Butt can do in the death overs can be bettered by the Akmals, the Afridis, and the Razzaqs?

Salman Butt is the best opener we've got, and that's why his skill, and fitness, should be preserved for ODI's and Tests where Pakistan are ranked 7th and 6th respectively. Finding a batsman who wants to just knock the stuffing off the ball and then go home is not hard to find in Pakistan; a guy who has the patience and technique to stay out there and NEVER let the team down isn't. That's why we have Salman Butt.

It's going to be a tough summer in England. Let's just do the right thing.

 

[proud_pakistani]

Pakistan didn't lose the 2010 T20 semi-final in the final over. They lost it in the first. Getting a first ball duck in T20I's is perfectly acceptable; it's actually quite normal. But playing out a maiden over simply has no justification. Salman Butt is as alien to T20I's as Imran Nazir is to Tests.

This is not a scathing criticism of Butt; I personally think he is Pakistan's best opener right now, and I fully support his appointment as the team's vice captain. But even Justin Langer didn't play the shorter formats. Salman Butt's style of play is very, very handy in ODI's, and perhaps essential in Tests, but counter productive in T20 cricket. Here there is no such concept as getting your eye in, or playing out a certain bowler, or keeping wickets in hand. Showing respect has no meaning in this format. Here, the norm is "to attack every delivery as [the batsman's] first priority, hoping to score multiple runs. [Ian Chappell, cricinfo blogs] With a mere strike rate of 108.2, your eventual score is only going to be 130 in 20 overs, which is nothing at all. What this means is that guy at the other end will have to provide all the acceleration, and this puts unnecessary pressure on the team. (Again, this is the equivalent of a golden duck in the other two formats.)

People could argue that hey, Butt is the guy who can rotate the strike, and not consume dot balls. However, another look at the stats and that argument falls to pieces. Butt has faced exactly 551 deliveries in 21 innings in his T20I career, which averages 4 overs, or 24 balls, per innings. His batting average is just a touch above 29. What this means is that at the end of four overs, your score is a mere 29/1, with a new guy at the crease who can't take any risks for the remaining two PP overs because to lose a second wicket would be treason. And if you lose the battle in the PP, you've more or less lost the game. And what's the point of batting through 20 overs anyway? Surely, anything Butt can do in the death overs can be bettered by the Akmals, the Afridis, and the Razzaqs?

Salman Butt is the best opener we've got, and that's why his skill, and fitness, should be preserved for ODI's and Tests where Pakistan are ranked 7th and 6th respectively. Finding a batsman who wants to just knock the stuffing off the ball and then go home is not hard to find in Pakistan; a guy who has the patience and technique to stay out there and NEVER let the team down isn't. That's why we have Salman Butt.

It's going to be a tough summer in England. Let's just do the right thing.

Cut the guy some slack...he scored the most runs for us in the T20 worldcup....we would have never made it tht far if it werent for him...

 

[Dr Khan]

Pakistan didn't lose the 2010 T20 semi-final in the final over. They lost it in the first. Getting a first ball duck in T20I's is perfectly acceptable; it's actually quite normal. But playing out a maiden over simply has no justification. Salman Butt is as alien to T20I's as Imran Nazir is to Tests.

This is not a scathing criticism of Butt; I personally think he is Pakistan's best opener right now, and I fully support his appointment as the team's vice captain. But even Justin Langer didn't play the shorter formats. Salman Butt's style of play is very, very handy in ODI's, and perhaps essential in Tests, but counter productive in T20 cricket. Here there is no such concept as getting your eye in, or playing out a certain bowler, or keeping wickets in hand. Showing respect has no meaning in this format. Here, the norm is "to attack every delivery as [the batsman's] first priority, hoping to score multiple runs. [Ian Chappell, cricinfo blogs] With a mere strike rate of 108.2, your eventual score is only going to be 130 in 20 overs, which is nothing at all. What this means is that guy at the other end will have to provide all the acceleration, and this puts unnecessary pressure on the team. (Again, this is the equivalent of a golden duck in the other two formats.)

People could argue that hey, Butt is the guy who can rotate the strike, and not consume dot balls. However, another look at the stats and that argument falls to pieces. Butt has faced exactly 551 deliveries in 21 innings in his T20I career, which averages 4 overs, or 24 balls, per innings. His batting average is just a touch above 29. What this means is that at the end of four overs, your score is a mere 29/1, with a new guy at the crease who can't take any risks for the remaining two PP overs because to lose a second wicket would be treason. And if you lose the battle in the PP, you've more or less lost the game. And what's the point of batting through 20 overs anyway? Surely, anything Butt can do in the death overs can be bettered by the Akmals, the Afridis, and the Razzaqs?

Salman Butt is the best opener we've got, and that's why his skill, and fitness, should be preserved for ODI's and Tests where Pakistan are ranked 7th and 6th respectively. Finding a batsman who wants to just knock the stuffing off the ball and then go home is not hard to find in Pakistan; a guy who has the patience and technique to stay out there and NEVER let the team down isn't. That's why we have Salman Butt.

It's going to be a tough summer in England. Let's just do the right thing.

Why do we all suffer from short term memory loss? He was our best batsman in the T20 WC... Even in 2020 you need stability and Butt provides that for the team.

 

[A.M.]

Makes no sense: Salman Butt and T20I's Pakistan didn't lose the 2010 T20 semi-final in the final over. They lost it in the first. Getting a first ball duck in T20I's is perfectly acceptable; it's actually quite normal. But playing out a maiden over simply has no justification. Salman Butt is as alien to T20I's as Imran Nazir is to Tests. This is not a scathing criticism of Butt; I personally think he is Pakistan's best opener right now, and I fully support his appointment as the team's vice captain. But even Justin Langer didn't play the shorter formats. Salman Butt's style of play is very, very handy in ODI's, and perhaps essential in Tests, but counter productive in T20 cricket. Here there is no such concept as getting your eye in, or playing out a certain bowler, or keeping wickets in hand. Showing respect has no meaning in this format. Here, the norm is "to attack every delivery as [the batsman's] first priority, hoping to score multiple runs. [Ian Chappell, cricinfo blogs] With a mere strike rate of 108.2, your eventual score is only going to be 130 in 20 overs, which is nothing at all. What this means is that guy at the other end will have to provide all the acceleration, and this puts unnecessary pressure on the team. (Again, this is the equivalent of a golden duck in the other two formats.) People could argue that hey, Butt is the guy who can rotate the strike, and not consume dot balls. However, another look at the stats and that argument falls to pieces. Butt has faced exactly 551 deliveries in 21 innings in his T20I career, which averages 4 overs, or 24 balls, per innings. His batting average is just a touch above 29. What this means is that at the end of four overs, your score is a mere 29/1, with a new guy at the crease who can't take any risks for the remaining two PP overs because to lose a second wicket would be treason. And if you lose the battle in the PP, you've more or less lost the game. And what's the point of batting through 20 overs anyway? Surely, anything Butt can do in the death overs can be bettered by the Akmals, the Afridis, and the Razzaqs? Salman Butt is the best opener we've got, and that's why his skill, and fitness, should be preserved for ODI's and Tests where Pakistan are ranked 7th and 6th respectively. Finding a batsman who wants to just knock the stuffing off the ball and then go home is not hard to find in Pakistan; a guy who has the patience and technique to stay out there and NEVER let the team down isn't. That's why we have Salman Butt. It's going to be a tough summer in England. Let's just do the right thing.

come on man u have forgotten the whole world t20 and u only remember that one over against Australia
in that match Kamran Akmal also played with scoring one or 2 runs
so he should also not play t20
come on..

 

[Free Hit]

haha he has been a real surprise in recent t20 success/ matches

i guess you didnt watch the world cup. and imran nazir is not a cricketer

 

[PB]

Ahh, thats because they were seeing how the pitch is, when they inspected the pitch, they said that 140 was a very good score, so Butt and Akmal, were seeing how the pitch reacts.

And then they finally did find out how the pitch was, and they accelerated.

 

[A.M.]

haha he has been a real surprise in recent t20 success/ matches

i guess you didnt watch the world cup. and imran nazir is not a cricketer

)

 

[Black Zero]

. Butt has faced exactly 551 deliveries in 21 innings in his T20I career, which averages 4 overs, or 24 balls, per innings. His batting average is just a touch above 29. What this means is that at the end of four overs, your score is a mere 29/1, with a new guy at the crease who can't take any risks for the remaining two PP overs because to lose a second wicket would be treason. And if you lose the battle in the PP, .

I believe you assumed the other opener is just a spectator?! or not allowed to play?!
Even if other opener plays 50% of SB's share, its 6 overs, and PP IS OVER!
so we can say, SB, Job well Done

 

[rhussain33]

Unjustified critism on Butt or what, he proved us wrong in the T20 WC 2010, after he was being slated for quite a while, myself included... did you even watch it ??

However I would open with Shahzaib and Kamran/Butt in these coming T20s

 

[cricfan967]

Our best player in the T20 world cup?
So what if he doesn't 'blast' every ball. He plays the anchor role in most situations and he has a decent strike rate.

 

[taaveez]

To the OP: I agree in principle with what you are saying - which essentially boils down to "a good test opener is likely not going to be a good T20 opener".

The team for which this statement has already proven to be true is England.

The team for which this statement has already proven to be false is India.

The team for which this statement has only proven to be half true is Australia.

The teams for which this statement has proven to be true but they haven't found a solution yet are SA, SL, NZ, and WI.

I do prefer left-right opening combo. I do prefer there to be as many openers/sloggers in the top 4 (in the T20s) as possible. But, I also think Butt is no Watson, Gayle, or Sehwag. If we can find another fluent leftie (a specialist like Warner), I'll limit Butt full-time to tests and ODIs only.

 

[EnigmaticIndian]

Salman Butt isnt an explosive batsman , more of a limited overs cricket player.
If you play him in T20, means you really lack options

 

[acewings]

That's not the point

Why do we all suffer from short term memory loss? He was our best batsman in the T20 WC... Even in 2020 you need stability and Butt provides that for the team.

Unjustified critism on Butt or what, he proved us wrong in the T20 WC 2010, after he was being slated for quite a while, myself included... did you even watch it ??

come on man u have forgotten the whole world t20 and u only remember that one over against Australia
in that match Kamran Akmal also played with scoring one or 2 runs
so he should also not play t20
come on..

Unfortunately, many of the replies so far have been disappointing. I was hoping for a response to my statistical arguments, but instead I get spammed by people asking me if I've ever watched the T20 World Cup. Well, of course I have! We all know that if Butt hadn't performed in the recently concluded tournament, he would have already been dropped from all formats, and given a few bans by the PCB just because they'd feel like it, and this entire thread would have been a waste of 30 minutes of my life. Butt is not tailor made for this format, and there is no need for him to change and compromise his game for it either, when we already have plenty of other specialists anyway. Why people feel the need to have identical lineups in all 3 formats is by itself baffling. Just take a look at Australia, South Africa, even England and observe the different lineups. I sincerely hope that Butt proves me wrong, but a single run of good form doesn't mean that T20 is necessarily his cup of tea.

 

[AZ]

maybe it's because your 'statistical argument' sounds completely idiotic when you see that since his comeback to the T20 team, his strike rate has gone up to 131.

 

[acewings]

anyway....... we'll see how many 'fans and proud supporters' remain if he cant maintain that form... maybe then my arguments would seem to make more sense... only then ill be having to convince everyone that the 100 match ban placed on him by the new PCB administration is a bad idea..... just sayin.

it's just common sense

 

[AZ]

so that's your answer? "anyway"? good job.

I know you're new, but you can look around, if there's anyone who has stuck up for SB through the tough times, it's me...not the type to go against any player if they have a bad day or two.

 

[acewings]

no, my answer was in my original post, which i hope you have read.

i also like SB, but i still think that Pak are missing a trick here. there are plenty of batsmen who can do the job better... that's all im saying. SB is working in our T20 team because there's just no other person who has been as consistent as he is. There's no question that a Gambhir, or a Warner, or a Dilshan would be preferred over Butt in a World T20 XI. To say that SB is not a natural at T20 is not a criticism, it's just an opinion that other test playing nations have agreed with when they send their WC squads. I can't understand why this isn't so obvious.

But i am interested in how he performs in England. Let's see...

 

[AZ]

at the end of the day, the bottom line will be performance...if he continues to make runs, at a relatively quick rate, then it doesn't matter whether he is a natural or not...as for other options instead of him, I don't see anyone to be honest...Shahzaib seems to be comfortable in T20, and there's always Kamran...but if you want to recycle garbage like Hafeez and Nazir, then you're asking for trouble IMO.

 

[PB]

Salman Butt isnt an explosive batsman , more of a limited overs cricket player.
If you play him in T20, means you really lack options

Neither is Gautam Gambhir an explosive opener, if you play HIM in T20's means, you really lack options as well.

 

[Gotham Cronie]

SB is working in our T20 team because there's just no other person who has been as consistent as he is. There's no question that a Gambhir, or a Warner, or a Dilshan would be preferred over Butt in a World T20 XI.

So what if Gambhir, Warner, and Dilshan would be preferred over Butt in a Twenty20 XI. No Twenty20 team will ever be perfect, hence the point of a World XI which picks the best players from each country.

McCullum would be picked over Akmal in a World T20 XI. Should we kick him out too?

"Pakistan didn't lose the 2010 T20 semi-final in the final over. They lost it in the first. Getting a first ball duck in T20I's is perfectly acceptable; it's actually quite normal. But playing out a maiden over simply has no justification."

That's strange, because I have memories of your boy Dilshan playing out a pretty important first over in a Twenty20 match. :aamir

If I had told you the night before the semi final against Australia that we would put 191 runs against the best side in the tournament up to that point, you would have taken it. Do not blame the batting for that loss.

I was one of the biggest critics of Butt for this format before the WC. I thought his lack of rotating the strike, poor fielding, and run-out issues were enough to keep him out. But he is obviously in great form and has improved. So until otherwise (just like any other player), he should stay in the team.

He doesn't perform, we want him out.
He does perform, we want him out.

Crazy world we live in.

 

[ali2220]

Salman Butt isnt an explosive batsman , more of a limited overs cricket player.
If you play him in T20, means you really lack options

Salman has been doing a great job till now even in the shortest format, so its stupid to question the inclusion of the best batsman in the side.

And yes we do lack options in batting, i mean we do have guys like Nazir,Farhat and Jamshed, all of them being failures and thus should hardly be an option.

 

[DW44]

Unjustified critism on Butt or what, he proved us wrong in the T20 WC 2010, after he was being slated for quite a while, myself included... did you even watch it ??






Unfortunately, many of the replies so far have been disappointing. I was hoping for a response to my statistical arguments, but instead I get spammed by people asking me if I've ever watched the T20 World Cup. Well, of course I have! We all know that if Butt hadn't performed in the recently concluded tournament, he would have already been dropped from all formats, and given a few bans by the PCB just because they'd feel like it, and this entire thread would have been a waste of 30 minutes of my life. Butt is not tailor made for this format, and there is no need for him to change and compromise his game for it either, when we already have plenty of other specialists anyway. Why people feel the need to have identical lineups in all 3 formats is by itself baffling. Just take a look at Australia, South Africa, even England and observe the different lineups. I sincerely hope that Butt proves me wrong, but a single run of good form doesn't mean that T20 is necessarily his cup of tea.

He was picked based on recent performances, recent performances being the 6 games he played in the world crap-20. Now in those 6 games, he played 6 innings and faced 170 deliveries, and average of 28.33 deliveries per innings or 4.72 overs. In these 6 innings, he scored 223 runs or 37.2 runs per innings at a strike rate of 131.3 or a run rate of 7.88 runs per over. These are perfectly alright figures in crap-20 and any opener who has them in his last 6 games would be a surefire pick for the next tournament his team plays. The figures you use are highly skewed because of his bad record in games he played years back, which is unfair to him as he has obviously worked on his deficiencies and has come out strongly.

 

[taaveez]

at the end of the day, the bottom line will be performance...if he continues to make runs, at a relatively quick rate, then it doesn't matter whether he is a natural or not....

Well, one of the things you have to keep in mind is that his T20 form has picked up only recently (in the last few months). He hasn't played any tests since, and we haven't yet seen how he'll perform in the tests after learning the T20 tricks.

We'll get an answer this summer - about him and about several other players - i.e. which formats they are best suited for and how easy it is for them to switch or continue their performances across. Afridi is another prime subject.

 

[Sakss]

what the crap..this guys been the most consistent in all forms of the game recently..

 

[Blitz]

*** is wrong with you?!

Getting a first ball duck is acceptable? If Butt got out for 0, then the next guy would have defended in hopes of preventing an almost certain Pakistani colapse.

The fact that we survived 10 overs meant we could go all out. Pakistani scored almost 200, thier highest total vs a non minnow, BECAUSE OF THAT. Not because the pitch was flat, because 90% of T20 pitches are that flat.

You lack all cricketing knowledge. Infact, since you think going for 60 runs in the last 4 overs is not to blame, you don't just lack cricket sense, you my friend, lack COMMON SENSE.

P.S. Tough summer in England? We have like a couple of T20s, 5 ODI's and 4 Test matches. What does Salman Butt's hitting power have to do with anything related to tough english summer. Why do we allow people like you to post? Hell, why is this thread not deleted already for its retardness.

 

[cricket_fever]

Cut the guy some slack...he scored the most runs for us in the T20 worldcup....we would have never made it tht far if it werent for him...

true

its just the myopic vision of some ---- that keeps them from realising the truth

 

[cricket_fever]

at the end of the day, the bottom line will be performance...if he continues to make runs, at a relatively quick rate, then it doesn't matter whether he is a natural or not...as for other options instead of him, I don't see anyone to be honest...Shahzaib seems to be comfortable in T20, and there's always Kamran...but if you want to recycle garbage like Hafeez and Nazir, then you're asking for trouble IMO.

spot on

 

[Sakss]

some newcomer trying to grab attention

 

[pakipower]

I cant believe some people doubt but credentials. This guy the only decent opener we got in all 3 formats.

The main reason our openers always fail is not the lack of talent but it is the lack of application or maybe just a lack of inteligence.

Butt is a player.

 

[acewings]

*** is wrong with you?!

Getting a first ball duck is acceptable? If Butt got out for 0, then the next guy would have defended in hopes of preventing an almost certain Pakistani colapse.

The fact that we survived 10 overs meant we could go all out. Pakistani scored almost 200, thier highest total vs a non minnow, BECAUSE OF THAT. Not because the pitch was flat, because 90% of T20 pitches are that flat.

You lack all cricketing knowledge. Infact, since you think going for 60 runs in the last 4 overs is not to blame, you don't just lack cricket sense, you my friend, lack COMMON SENSE.

P.S. Tough summer in England? We have like a couple of T20s, 5 ODI's and 4 Test matches. What does Salman Butt's hitting power have to do with anything related to tough english summer. Why do we allow people like you to post? Hell, why is this thread not deleted already for its retardness.

Because I don't mind thinking outside the box, and suggesting ideas that go against conventional wisdom. And it's not up to you to decide what's acceptable and what isn't. I'm just offering my take on the squad. If you can't handle an alternate opinion, then you are more than welcome to leave. But don't even start on how no one can post different ideas, especially if they may be unusual at first. I'm sure this website appreciates that, even if you don't

 

[Kriketer]

Butt has proved several critics wrong in recent T20 WC. If he plays the same then I don't see any issue in playing him in T20.....not like I care much about this format. We are the king of T20, so Butt, no Butt we will still dominate this format.

 

[pakcricketfan]

I'm one of those who never liked the idea of keeping Butt in T20's. BUT he performed well at the t20 WC this year..so we should persist with him. If he continues to score runs at a reasonable rate in t20's, then stick to him. If he doesn't, then you do have the likes of Kamran and Shahzaib who can be given a shot.

But for now, GIVE SALMAN A BREAK!

 

[Blitz]

Because I don't mind thinking outside the box, and suggesting ideas that go against conventional wisdom. And it's not up to you to decide what's acceptable and what isn't. I'm just offering my take on the squad. If you can't handle an alternate opinion, then you are more than welcome to leave. But don't even start on how no one can post different ideas, especially if they may be unusual at first. I'm sure this website appreciates that, even if you don't

You didn't think outside the box. You didn't say anything unconventional and you didn't suggest an idea. You just said Butt shouldn't play.

You just highlighted a problem we all know, Butt is no Afridi, but he's the best we got.

An idea would be suggesting a replacement, which is non existent, so this is a pointless 'idea'.

i.e Windows 7 sucks, we need something better, but its the best we have.

THAT IS NOT AN IDEA. I didn't offer a solution for a better Windows version. Follow me?

 

[acewings]

I'm glad that you agree we have a problem.

Here's an idea: Shazaib Hasan came out of nowhere, and now he is almost a first choice opener against Australia. How difficult is it to get another Shazaib Hasan? Don't say that there's no one out there from a nation of 160 million.

Let's see Pakistan's team against the Aussies though. We might just open with Kamran and Shazaib, if not Butt and Akmal, in which case Shazaib coming in at 3.

We can return to this thread after the matches, of course. It will be much easier to assess in retrospect.

Peace

 

[acewings]

It's really amazing how virtually every comment here had a go at me for my views on Butt, and now after today's T20 everyone is now calling for Butt to be dropped. (my views - only from T20Is)

Told ya so....

 

[Cheguvera]

Salman Butt and cricket make no sense...

 

[Daytripped]

Are you forgetting that Salman Butt was Pakistans leading run scorer in the last world t20?

 

[pacman]

I dont get why we need these drop this player after each game. Salman has been our best opener for a while now. He was one of the better performers in the recently T20 WC.

If we had a suitable replacement, it could be a topic to discuss. But we dont. So we should stick with him, and support him in thick and thin.

 

[srh]

Looks like the performance in T20 world Cup was a fluke.

 

[rhussain33]

I was giving him a chance after his performance at the T20 WC 2010, but in the back of my mind i knew this was going to happen, dot balls, pressure, get other batter run out, then get your self out, add drop catches to that, hes lucky he wasnt in that position where malik took a catch.

Give him a couple more T20s, no improvement, open with Kamran and Shahzaib, and bring Fawad in .

 

[Masroor]

even though he couldn't score today but he deserve to be in the side...only the thing he lacks his running between the wicket....

 

[Rudi hater]

I was giving him a chance after his performance at the T20 WC 2010, but in the back of my mind i knew this was going to happen, dot balls, pressure, get other batter run out, then get your self out, add drop catches to that, hes lucky he wasnt in that position where malik took a catch.

Give him a couple more T20s, no improvement, open with Kamran and Shahzaib, and bring Fawad in .

GOSH, you do know your cricket...how old are you?

 

[Rudi hater]

Salman Butt and cricket make no sense...

and you make no sense either.

 

[AZ]

It's really amazing how virtually every comment here had a go at me for my views on Butt, and now after today's T20 everyone is now calling for Butt to be dropped. (my views - only from T20Is)

Told ya so....

lol

so if he plays a good innings in the 2nd match, should we come back to your thread and say "Told ya so..." as well?

then you'd end up looking foolish all over again.

 

[SOSami]

I agree with most of you, we shouldn't drop Butt in T20s. Yet.

However, watching him makes me more angry than any other player I have ever seen, whether from the opposition or ours. Absolutely drives me up the wall. In T20s I just sit there and wonder why he hasn't swung his bat in anger despite having faced 12 balls. What is he waiting for? It may be management instructions though and Butt may well be the fall-guy - we just don't know. Overall, he was a little unlucky today and on another day could have had at least three more boundaries to build momentum and release pressure. He just kept hitting the fielders with well-timed shots and it ultimately led to his downfall.

Why why why didn't he sacrifice his own stuttering innings after leaving Kamran, who was batting beautifully, up the creek makes me think he is out only for his own half-century regardless of how many balls or run-outs it takes. This may also be a weakness of management though - the way players have been treated they may be desperate to make runs and achieve personal goals to keep themselves in the fold.

The true question is whether an anchor is actually needed as other teams have pretty much discarded with them. With only Malik being capable of playing such an innings the answer in my opinion is a completely inconclusive maybe. :iamlegend

 

[acewings]

lol

so if he plays a good innings in the 2nd match, should we come back to your thread and say "Told ya so..." as well?

then you'd end up looking foolish all over again.

Ugh......... Sure dude, if it makes you happy. I'm not going to try and stop you.

But listen... I don't want to get into a heated discussion, and I'm not trying to make you look bad. All I'm asking for is an honest answer to a very simple question.

Performances, current form, averages, strike rates aside, this is the all important question regarding this entire thread: what is the purpose of Butt (or any anchor) in T20I's?

Look, Pakistan have suffered some extremely embarrasing defeats in T20I's, but none of them (or an insignificant number) of them were involving Pakistan getting bowled out with, say, 5 overs to spare, and hence being 40 runs short. In fact, barring Ban or Zim, no team ever loses a T20I by being bowled out that early. Even today, when Pakistan imploded (and I am NOT blaming Butt for it) our innings wasn't resuscitated by blocking, but by Jr Akmal hitting out, otherwise the Aussies would be like chasing 130.

The true question is whether an anchor is actually needed as other teams have pretty much discarded with them. :iamlegend

(Continuing my response to Ahmad Zulfiqar)

I'm sure that you know more than me that Butt absolutely hates playing with a cross bat, or slogging all out, or improvising Akmal style. Even the Aussies know that. Did you notice their tailor made strategy against Butt today?

a) They packed the offside field with 5 men inside the ring, ensuring that every cover drive that Butt played went to hand.
b) They gave Butt absolutely no width outside off. Normally this predictability is suicidal, because the batsman pounces on any length provided, but the Aussies didn't expect Butt to up the ante.
c) The moment the PP ended, they introduced David Hussey. Butt holed out the same over.

Obviously, such tactics would backfire in ODI cricket, but they worked today very well. If Butt finds a way to break the shackles and does something different, I won't have a problem with him being in the T20 team. But if he does the same thing tomorrow, then I don't see how one could expect a different result. At the very least, Australia won't.

 

[AZ]

Ugh......... Sure dude, if it makes you happy. I'm not going to try and stop you.

lol

that is exactly what you did!

But listen... I don't want to get into a heated discussion, and I'm not trying to make you look bad. All I'm asking for is an honest answer to a very simple question.

Performances, current form, averages, strike rates aside, this is the all important question regarding this entire thread: what is the purpose of Butt (or any anchor) in T20I's?

why ask him, ask his captain:

http://www.cricinfo.com/world-twenty20-2010/content/story/458100.html

play close attention to the fourth paragraph.

Look, Pakistan have suffered some extremely embarrasing defeats in T20I's, but none of them (or an insignificant number) of them were involving Pakistan getting bowled out with, say, 5 overs to spare, and hence being 40 runs short. In fact, barring Ban or Zim, no team ever loses a T20I by being bowled out that early. Even today, when Pakistan imploded (and I am NOT blaming Butt for it) our innings wasn't resuscitated by blocking, but by Jr Akmal hitting out, otherwise the Aussies would be like chasing 130.

he did not play well today, couldn't get going, wasn't timing his shots particularly well...that does not mean that he was trying to occupy the crease and play the 20 overs...sometimes people just don't play well, it happens.

 

[SOSami]

I'm sure that you know more than me that Butt absolutely hates playing with a cross bat, or slogging all out, or improvising Akmal style. Even the Aussies know that. Did you notice their tailor made strategy against Butt today?

a) They packed the offside field with 5 men inside the ring, ensuring that every cover drive that Butt played went to hand.
b) They gave Butt absolutely no width outside off. Normally this predictability is suicidal, because the batsman pounces on any length provided, but the Aussies didn't expect Butt to up the ante.
c) The moment the PP ended, they introduced David Hussey. Butt holed out the same over.

Obviously, such tactics would backfire in ODI cricket, but they worked today very well. If Butt finds a way to break the shackles and does something different, I won't have a problem with him being in the T20 team. But if he does the same thing tomorrow, then I don't see how one could expect a different result. At the very least, Australia won't.

I agree with what you have written on Aussie tactics today against Butt.

I have a theory on whats wrong with him too.
He could change his approach, but the problem with Butt is that he appears to be scared of actually being hit by the ball, whether when fielding or batting. He flinches like a 12 year old girl when the ball doesn't do exactly what he expected. Cross-bat shots bring specific physical dangers which he is unwilling to confront when facing quicks. Ganguly was a little like that too and so was Saeed Anwar when he started out so hes not in bad company - something about the left-hander angle I suppose.

The off-season training I would give him would be to stand with no protection (well...maybe a box!) and face 90mph rubber-balls - painful but not dangerous, just to get him mentally stronger.

I might be completely wrong in my analysis mind you...

 

[acewings]

lol

that is exactly what you did!

Right... now I'm not sure what that is actually supposed to mean.

If Butt does perform tomorrow, and make no mistake, I sincerely hope he does perform, you're more than welcome to come back and say anything you like.

In the meantime, do answer my final point in my last thread: what do you expect Butt to do differently? Can he score at 8 an over if the Aussies take the pace off the ball and bowl wicket to wicket with a packed offside field? What is Butt supposed to do after the PP? How will he clear the men in the deep? What about his ability to play quality spin? Will he be able to play Swann, Murali, Botha, etc?

he did not play well today, couldn't get going, wasn't timing his shots particularly well...that does not mean that he was trying to occupy the crease and play the 20 overs...sometimes people just don't play well, it happens.

You hit the nail on the head with this point. Butt was out of form, so he consumed too many deliveries. In order for Butt to play himself into form..... he needs to consume the more deliveries... or he could hit out and hope luck is on his side. Which one would you prefer?

 

[AZ]

Right... now I'm not sure what that is actually supposed to mean.

If Butt does perform tomorrow, and make no mistake, I sincerely hope he does perform, you're more than welcome to come back and say anything you like.

In the meantime, do answer my final point in my last thread: what do you expect Butt to do differently? Can he score at 8 an over if the Aussies take the pace off the ball and bowl wicket to wicket with a packed offside field? What is Butt supposed to do after the PP? How will he clear the men in the deep? What about his ability to play quality spin? Will he be able to play Swann, Murali, Botha, etc?

- I won't do that, I'm not into cheap point scoring like that, besides it would be an endless cycle.

- He'll need to adjust, while still try to play to his strengths...you don't need to hit a boundary off every ball to make sure you score at a decent rate...he showed us some unorthodox shots in the T20 WC recently, so it seems like he has been working on that as well.

- He can most certainly play spin, perhaps not as well as he plays the quicks, but if he lasts that long, I don't anticipate any significant problems...he should cut out the slog sweep though, not the first time he's gotten out to it.

You hit the nail on the head with this point. Butt was out of form, so he consumed too many deliveries. In order for Butt to play himself into form..... he needs to consume the more deliveries... or he could hit out and hope luck is on his side. Which one would you prefer?

IIRC he got a 70-odd in his lat intl. match? did pretty well in the side matches too, so don't think his form is as bad as you are suggesting.

 

[acewings]

- I won't do that, I'm not into cheap point scoring like that, besides it would be an endless cycle.

- He'll need to adjust, while still try to play to his strengths...you don't need to hit a boundary off every ball to make sure you score at a decent rate...he showed us some unorthodox shots in the T20 WC recently, so it seems like he has been working on that as well.

- He can most certainly play spin, perhaps not as well as he plays the quicks, but if he lasts that long, I don't anticipate any significant problems...he should cut out the slog sweep though, not the first time he's gotten out to it.




IIRC he got a 70-odd in his lat intl. match? did pretty well in the side matches too, so don't think his form is as bad as you are suggesting.

Right, but dude, here is my main question: should but simply take the shine off the new ball, bat out the PP, or anchor the entire innings for20 overs. In other words, and I'm not playing with any words here, should Butt value his wicket, or go into hit out or get out mode with Pak having power hitters like Lala, Razzaq, Akmal, maybe even Malik?

I hope you're right about his current form. We'll need that in the Tests.

 

[AZ]

simply put, play according to the situation...doesn't help when the partner who's expected to be the aggressor gets out for a golden duck (a feeling his partners would know too well )

 

[acewings]

but then if Pak need to accelerate, you cant blame Butt for playing the slog sweep. In that case, here's the dilemma: Butt plays out the PP, not enough runs at the start. Butt tries to accelerate, holes out to deep midwicket. If Butt can find a way to still pick the gaps and score, which is very difficult after the PP, then that's fine. But if after the PP, he keeps holing out, and can't up the rate, or even maintain the PP rate, then there's an issue.

You could also agree he needs to improve his running a bit. That could be his undoing over the next few months. I'm still shocked about that run out against India recently.

 

[Genghis]

Some people really have short term memory here. Salman Butt was our BEST batsmen in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. One bad innings and all of a sudden he doesn't deserve to be in the side??? I just feel people have bad memories of Butt in England in the 2009 T20 World Cup and are somewhat holding it against him. Butt is a much improved T20 player from then and he does look for ways to improvise. He just wasn't middling the ball. All good players go through bad slumps, but if we drop him after one bad innings then how are we ever going to build confidence with our players. I am sure Afridi is not so short-sighted and Butt will be playing tommorow.

Also whilst I agree Butt is a poor runner between the wicket, I think Akmal was largely to blame for his runout today. He was just backing up way too much.

 

[acewings]

I can't help wondering why the Akmals just keep getting run out.....

 

[Rudi hater]

Some people really have short term memory here. Salman Butt was our BEST batsmen in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. One bad innings and all of a sudden he doesn't deserve to be in the side??? I just feel people have bad memories of Butt in England in the 2009 T20 World Cup and are somewhat holding it against him. Butt is a much improved T20 player from then and he does look for ways to improvise. He just wasn't middling the ball. All good players go through bad slumps, but if we drop him after one bad innings then how are we ever going to build confidence with our players. I am sure Afridi is not so short-sighted and Butt will be playing tommorow.

Also whilst I agree Butt is a poor runner between the wicket, I think Akmal was largely to blame for his runout today. He was just backing up way too much.

Such are fans here. Need to learn about life a little more.

 

[Rudi hater]

I can't help wondering why the Akmals just keep getting run out.....

Yeah, Asia cup and here indentical run outs.

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

Salman Butt MOM in the World T20 a decade today

10 years today https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...tan-4th-match-group-a-icc-world-twenty20-2010

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Fastest innings of Butt's life?