[PICTURE] Why is Salman Butt getting trained at NCA but not Umar Akmal?

[MachoKhan]

So i saw a picture of Salman Butt on his instagram where he is training with Mickey Arthur and Grant flower at the NCA, my question is why him? They told Umar that your not centrally contracted player hence you cannot use Flower’s service than why is Salman Butt using it? He's not centrally contracted player also. Thats double standard from Mickey. Butt is past and a fixer while Akmal is still future.

 

[cricketerB94]

Butt was part of high performance camp and he may have surprised management by showing his fitness and hard work there.

Whereas Akmal was also part of high performance camp. He had the chance to impress the management by showing his seriousness towards fitness but he opted to go to England for rehab.

 

[Boi]

Honestly it would be sickening if Butt returns to the national side. Really don't know why Mickey and the coaching staff are giving him such attention. I'm worried.

 

[Major]

Honestly it would be sickening if Butt returns to the national side. Really don't know why Mickey and the coaching staff are giving him such attention. I'm worried.

??? If amir could return then why not butt?

 

[shaz619]

Butt is a theif but he still works harder then Umar Akmal , maybe that's why ?

 

[shaz619]

??? If amir could return then why not butt?

Good question

 

[Deewana Mastana]

It is because Salman can speak the most fluent English out of the whole lot there which has earned him a 'soft' spot in Arthur, Flower and co;

 

[Boi]

??? If amir could return then why not butt?

Butt isn't needed. We have better, younger options like Aslam, Imam and Fakhar who deserve chances ahead of Butt. It's wrong to equate Butt and Amir's cases as equal. Butt was the ringleader and has been repulsive since the day he was caught whilst the other has tried to keep his head down and focus on winning back his fans.

 

[Major]

Butt isn't needed. We have better, younger options like Aslam, Imam and Fakhar who deserve chances ahead of Butt. It's wrong to equate Butt and Amir's cases as equal. Butt was the ringleader and has been repulsive since the day he was caught whilst the other has tried to keep his head down and focus on winning back his fans.

Amir was as involved as butt was.

If amir could be forgiven so could butt.

But you guys have the talent bias.

 

[Boi]

Amir was as involved as butt was.

If amir could be forgiven so could butt.

But you guys have the talent bias.

Forgiving him doesn't mean he should get preferential treatment over others at the Academy. It doesn't mean we should overlook deserving players like Aslam and play the tainted Butt, who has no real future, ahead of them.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Because Butt had and still has plenty of friends in the pcb

His return is sadly inevitable especially with the likes of Haroon Rashid lurking around not to mention his bro Azhar

 

[ads101]

Because Butt had and still has plenty of friends in the pcb

His return is sadly inevitable especially with the likes of Haroon Rashid lurking around not to mention his bro Azhar

Didn't Azhar join Hafeez in the protest of Amir coming back to the side? So I wouldn't think he'd want Butt back either? Unless we're talking about a different Azhar

 

[ads101]

I don't want Butt back, but in some ways I kind of get why he was given training. If it wasn't for the fixing, I believe he would have been in the squad already.

While I'd rather have Umar back, Umar was out of the squads due to performance and fitness reasons. With Butt having served his sentence and Amir recalled, PCB can't just come out and say they're not selecting Butt due to him being a fixer. They don't however need to select him, they can just ignore him.

So I guess by purely performance/fitness logic, Butt was closer to a comeback than Umar at the point where Umar was being refused. Even though Butt would probably be stuck on nearly being recalled, while on the other hand if umar lost weight and got his fitness back, he'd likely find himself drafted into the squad sharpish.

 

[Rana]

Everyone was surprisingly quick to forgive Amir around the world. I dont think it will be the same with Salman Butt.

There is no way a mature, educated man with a composed head on his shoulders, and that too being the captain of the Test side have any leniency when it comes to corruption.

This isnt a question of who is more talented and wanted back in the team. There is no doubt about the fact that Salman Butt was a phenomenal opener once he settled down at the crease, and his record against India would be ideal in the current circumstances of how India have been dominating Pakistan. However, far greater players in far bigger positions of responsibility have been dealt with severely. He should be no different

 

[Markhor]

Anyone can use the NCA including Akmal and Butt.

Did Butt actually receive coaching from the staff there or are people basing that from pictures ?

 

[Boi]

Because Butt had and still has plenty of friends in the pcb

His return is sadly inevitable especially with the likes of Haroon Rashid lurking around not to mention his bro Azhar

lol can't believe you're still going on about Azhar and Butt like they're best buddies on the basis of one picture which you've seen in your dreams or something.

It makes no sense for Azhar to back Butt when he was clearly against Amir's return.

 

[Monsee]

I would rather have none of the two: Butt or Umar in Pak team!

As for those saying Butt was a 'Phenomenal player, Great etc.'...have you actually looked at his stats and tried to analyze them closely; they look worse than Ramiz Raja's in some areas and Rameez at least can say I played in the era of great fast bowlers and all!

This coming from someone who think Rameez Raja was the worst player who ever played for Pak for a long time (as long as he did)!

 

[Plumb]

This is sickening to see Mr Butt training with the officials. This guy brought shame to the whole nation and we all are ok with it, seems like there is no moral left in the fans. People 'll argue Amir's come back, well I would be ok if Amir wasn't allowed he also went through a series of rehabilitation and understands what he had done. But this guy was the one who setup the whole scenario. Utter Shame that he is in Pcb's plan. Not that anyone cares but I would definitely stop following pak cricket if this guy is back and can't tolerate him wearing the green shirt. As far as comparing UA with him I wouldn't like to see any of those two for separate reasons off course.

 

[sshakir411]

Butt was included in the 'high-performance' camp after a certain someone mentioned in the thread had a chat with Inzi. Pretty sickening and shows exactly what our culture is like. And yes, since Salman was part of the camp he can use the national coaches. Umar was not part of the camp nor a centrally contracted player and thus cannot use national coaching staff.

 

[UN talkz]

Butt was included in the 'high-performance' camp after a certain someone mentioned in the thread had a chat with Inzi. Pretty sickening and shows exactly what our culture is like. And yes, since Salman was part of the camp he can use the national coaches. Umar was not part of the camp nor a centrally contracted player and thus cannot use national coaching staff.

I hate umar akmal..... But just correcting u, he was part of high performance camp

 

[UN talkz]

This is sickening to see Mr Butt training with the officials. This guy brought shame to the whole nation and we all are ok with it, seems like there is no moral left in the fans. People 'll argue Amir's come back, well I would be ok if Amir wasn't allowed he also went through a series of rehabilitation and understands what he had done. But this guy was the one who setup the whole scenario. Utter Shame that he is in Pcb's plan. Not that anyone cares but I would definitely stop following pak cricket if this guy is back and can't tolerate him wearing the green shirt. As far as comparing UA with him I wouldn't like to see any of those two for separate reasons off course.

Doesn't make sense..... A fixer is a fixer whether he is a ring leader or just a mere member of gang.... Either allow all or no one.

 

[Plumb]

Doesn't make sense..... A fixer is a fixer whether he is a ring leader or just a mere member of gang.... Either allow all or no one.

As I said earlier I would be ok if no one is allowed after fixing scandals. I am not defending Amir but comparing him with Butt is comparing oranges with apples. Butt was the captain of the Team for God sake and he was the one who asked him to do and you don't seem to find a difference in those two? Amir did accept what he did went through many programs for rehabilitation. On other hand Mr Butt had no shame bringing his family to prove his innocence and repeatedly denying his wrongdoings is another level. Saying to allow all or none doesn't make sense as the scenario does matter. I have no problem if Amir wasn't allowed. As I think people forget quickly we have short lived memory, what shame was brought by these people is unimaginable may be difficult to understand for people living in pakistan but it changes the perspective how people looks at Pakistani people outside pakistan.

 

[UN talkz]

As I said earlier I would be ok if no one is allowed after fixing scandals. I am not defending Amir but comparing him with Butt is comparing oranges with apples. Butt was the captain of the Team for God sake and he was the one who asked him to do and you don't seem to find a difference in those two? Amir did accept what he did went through many programs for rehabilitation. On other hand Mr Butt had no shame bringing his family to prove his innocence and repeatedly denying his wrongdoings is another level. Saying to allow all or none doesn't make sense as the scenario does matter. I have no problem if Amir wasn't allowed. As I think people forget quickly we have short lived memory, what shame was brought by these people is unimaginable may be difficult to understand for people living in pakistan but it changes the perspective how people looks at Pakistani people outside pakistan.

That is gud, guys who have brought shame to nation should not be allowed.... Amir and butt can't be compared .. Like i said one is ringleader and other is a mere member.

 

[shane]

The very idea that Salman Butt might be back representing Pakistan epitomises the problems of third world countries, this idea that gross corruption is not only acceptable but normal.

 

[super hitter]

Oh god, then what is shahid afridi's kusoor

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Butt gets everything. Captains the Lahore side, has his mates in the PCB and some cricketers like him as well.

Only the PSL is left for him.

 

[Junaids]

Salman Butt has excellent political connections, and those people want him back.

(I don't: I only want one player that old in my team, and that's Azhar Ali - and I want him retired in the next 18 months too).

This process has all been political: show Mickey Arthur that Butt now:

1) has high level patronage, and
2) is the second best Pakistani long-format batsman behind Azhar Ali.

It's all about senior patrons getting Inzi and Arthur to understand that Butt about to be imposed on the Pakistan team.

 

[PakSarZameen]

I dislike all Akmals, but Umar might have been right complaining this time.

I don't believe in the 'saazish' stories, but there is certainly some beef between Umar and someone if not a few within PCB.

 

[coy0607]

Amir was as involved as butt was.

If amir could be forgiven so could butt.

But you guys have the talent bias.

It's not a bias, it's a fact

Amir is arguably the best fast bowler in Pakistan
Butt has been inconsistent since his comeback, and we have younger and better performing openers

Where's the bias?

 

[coy0607]

I dislike all Akmals, but Umar might have been right complaining this time.

I don't believe in the 'saazish' stories, but there is certainly some beef between Umar and someone if not a few within PCB.

Sure, but Umar certainly hasn't helped his case by not performing for 2-3 years now. Not to mention he has failed the fitness test a whopping 7 times!

He just comes across as lazy and whiny

 

[maxamax]

Because he is jumping tides to improve while Akmals brain is fading.

 

[pakistanisgreat]

If Amir gets chance then Butt deserve a chance as well.

 

[Junaids]

It's not a bias, it's a fact

Amir is arguably the best fast bowler in Pakistan
Butt has been inconsistent since his comeback, and we have younger and better performing openers

Where's the bias?

Salman Butt has been relentlessly consistent in First Class cricket since his return.

In a "has scored four times as many centuries as Fawad Alam" and "has an average twice as high as Mohammad Hafeez" type of way.

 

[The_Odd_One]

May be because Butt proved his worth in FC and Akmal did not?

 

[New Yorker]

Amir was as involved as butt was.

If amir could be forgiven so could butt.

But you guys have the talent bias.

did amir initiate it? butt took this to the other two players, not the other way around.

clemency is a gift, not a right. the people may pardon but are not obliged to.

 

[Shaka81]

I don't want either of them anywhere near the team.
Umar Akmal is fat and lazy. The worst traits for any sports person. How anyone can be a professional sportsman and not be interested in looking after themselves or try to improve their skills, makes no sense at all.
I find Salman Butt repulsive. His behaviour during and after the scandal show someone used to privileges and getting whatever they want. He's what we call a real bad egg. Also his performances since coming back are not even that good.

 

[GeneralYorker]

Butt should never be allowed anywhere near team. It's a disgrace he is even at the NCA. In any walk of life especially in law the person in a RESPONSIBLE position takes the heaviest punishment, such as a manager or in this instance the Captain of the Team. In any case his performances for the team weren't great anyway.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Salman Butt has excellent political connections, and those people want him back.

(I don't: I only want one player that old in my team, and that's Azhar Ali - and I want him retired in the next 18 months too).

This process has all been political: show Mickey Arthur that Butt now:

1) has high level patronage, and
2) is the second best Pakistani long-format batsman behind Azhar Ali.

It's all about senior patrons getting Inzi and Arthur to understand that Butt about to be imposed on the Pakistan team.

Butt was captain of the team when he was banned and spanked India with Inzi. Ofcourse he is going to develop connections.

If he's good enough for int cricket then that's another discussion point.

 

[FreakCricket]

Amir was as involved as butt was.

If amir could be forgiven so could butt.

But you guys have the talent bias.

amir was 17yr old naive

 

[coy0607]

Salman Butt has been relentlessly consistent in First Class cricket since his return.

In a "has scored four times as many centuries as Fawad Alam" and "has an average twice as high as Mohammad Hafeez" type of way.

1. I don't know why you would compare him with Fawad Alam (who's isn't in the team and not in contention to be in the team) and Hafeez (who is on his way down, not in the Test or T20 team, and an all-rounder)

How about comparing Butt to others who have either just broken in or are trying to (Farkhar, Babar, Haris, Amin, Haq...)

2. Butt's last 8 innings read (in order): 20 4 0 0 33 2 7 3

at 32, he's simply not good enough for international cricket

 

[Syed1]

Anyone can use the NCA including Akmal and Butt.

Did Butt actually receive coaching from the staff there or are people basing that from pictures ?

Anything to support Mickey eh?

 

[Markhor]

Anything to support Mickey eh?

Lol you've kept quiet since the Champions Trophy - have you recovered from the overdose of humble pie yet ?

No in all seriousness, I detest Butt and he should be given the Saleem Malik treatment, i.e. a life ban, as like Malik he was a ringleader who introduced players to bookmakers.

However this Instagram photo doesn't prove anything - Arthur and Flower are entitled to have a look at players at the Academy, doesn't mean they're giving individual coaching.

 

[shaz619]

Lol you've kept quiet since the Champions Trophy - have you recovered from the overdose of humble pie yet ?

No in all seriousness, I detest Butt and he should be given the Saleem Malik treatment, i.e. a life ban, as like Malik he was a ringleader who introduced players to bookmakers.

However this Instagram photo doesn't prove anything - Arthur and Flower are entitled to have a look at players at the Academy, doesn't mean they're giving individual coaching.

He did his crime and was punished like Amir, Arther is going to consider Salman Butt if the opportunity presents itself the same way Amir was considered.

 

[Monsee]

Oh god, then what is shahid afridi's kusoor

His Baali Umer gets in the way, always

 

[sshakir411]

I hate umar akmal..... But just correcting u, he was part of high performance camp

From what I remember he didn't attend because he was in England getting his knee rehabilitated

 

[Major]

amir was 17yr old naive

keep convincing yourself with that rubbish

I have seen with my own eyes how ages are forged here in rawal pindi cricket circuits

 

[nam]

1. I don't know why you would compare him with Fawad Alam (who's isn't in the team and not in contention to be in the team) and Hafeez (who is on his way down, not in the Test or T20 team, and an all-rounder)

How about comparing Butt to others who have either just broken in or are trying to (Farkhar, Babar, Haris, Amin, Haq...)

2. Butt's last 8 innings read (in order): 20 4 0 0 33 2 7 3

at 32, he's simply not good enough for international cricket

Wow what numbers! Get him in asap! before he gets any older!

 

[mak36]

It's not an either or situation.

Akmal is not being trained by the PCB's coaches for disciplinary/fitness reasons (the same reason he doesn't have a central contract). He failed those tests of his own accord.

Butt was part of the emerging camp. I really do despise the fact that he is being considered for national selection, and in my view he shouldn't have been part of that camp. But stop blurring the two and saying they are in the same situation. It's a false comparison.

Bottom line: Give Mickey the freedom to run his own (tight) ship!

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Not sure if butt is in contention for selection. But I remember when asked about butt during the time when sharjeel got convicted. Mickey said " we have enough on our plates now than to think about butt". I don't think mickey wants but if forced then he will take it and throw it soon just like he did with UA. Shehzad will be next soon. If butt comes then Sami aslam might sit out or Azhar have to move to no. 3 both are bad moves. In short keep the ring master of spot fixing away. I still remember where his eyes were when Amir bowled no-ball, doubting Amir might not be part of their plans.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I dont like this or Butt. When a grown man brings up his sister or her ice cream parlour trying to evade his crime, he no longer is respected in my eyes.

I will not watch a single game if Butt is playing again.

 

[mak36]

Not sure if butt is in contention for selection. But I remember when asked about butt during the time when sharjeel got convicted. Mickey said " we have enough on our plates now than to think about butt". I don't think mickey wants but if forced then he will take it and throw it soon just like he did with UA. Shehzad will be next soon. If butt comes then Sami aslam might sit out or Azhar have to move to no. 3 both are bad moves. In short keep the ring master of spot fixing away. I still remember where his eyes were when Amir bowled no-ball, doubting Amir might not be part of their plans.

Mickey was asked about Salman Butt during the recent press conference and he was rather equivocal. He said Salman is a very good player who is working hard but whether he returns is a decision above his pay grade. That seems a complete turnaround from when he said "we have enough on our plates without having to worry about Salman Butt."

Giving they are talking of moving Azhar back to 3, that means there may be a vacant opener slot in the test team. I sincerely hope I am wrong here, but I don't like how this is looking.

 

[DRsohail]

this is rediculous to see him with national coaches,,,he should be treated like akml and should be sent back..

 

[ask_analyse_act]

I dont like this or Butt. When a grown man brings up his sister or her ice cream parlour trying to evade his crime, he no longer is respected in my eyes.

I will not watch a single game if Butt is playing again.

He was caught red handed once. Not sure how many times he did and got away with it nobody knows. Those times during the ANZ 2009-2010 tour many things were suspicious until he get caught. It looks like he enjoyed a free-ride on fixing once INZI left.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Mickey was asked about Salman Butt during the recent press conference and he was rather equivocal. He said Salman is a very good player who is working hard but whether he returns is a decision above his pay grade. That seems a complete turnaround from when he said "we have enough on our plates without having to worry about Salman Butt."

Giving they are talking of moving Azhar back to 3, that means there may be a vacant opener slot in the test team. I sincerely hope I am wrong here, but I don't like how this is looking.

Babar was not tried at no3 in UAE, changing his position before that is not right and Azhar already proved he is the best opener both in and out of Asia. Mickey should stick with it and do not fall into the trap of recalling butt. If butt is in and one of shehzad or Sami or Shaan is out then it is very bad. Fixer to replace youngsters is a controversial move.

 

[Junaids]

Mickey was asked about Salman Butt during the recent press conference and he was rather equivocal. He said Salman is a very good player who is working hard but whether he returns is a decision above his pay grade. That seems a complete turnaround from when he said "we have enough on our plates without having to worry about Salman Butt."

Giving they are talking of moving Azhar back to 3, that means there may be a vacant opener slot in the test team. I sincerely hope I am wrong here, but I don't like how this is looking.

It's looking to me like the plan for the Test team is:

1. Sami Aslam
2. Salman Butt
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Asad Shafiq
6. Sarfraz Ahmed (c/wk)
7. All-rounder

I think that Mickey Arthur wanted Umar Akmal in there, and with him out of contention, he's open to accepting Salman Butt to stabilise the top order.

 

[mak36]

It's looking to me like the plan for the Test team is:

1. Sami Aslam
2. Salman Butt
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Asad Shafiq
6. Sarfraz Ahmed (c/wk)
7. All-rounder

I think that Mickey Arthur wanted Umar Akmal in there, and with him out of contention, he's open to accepting Salman Butt to stabilise the top order.

Azhar's batting position certainly seems to be up for debate. I recall there was a thread discussing this after MisYou retired. At the time I commented that Azhar's batting position would in part be determined by where Azhar himself would prefer to bat. This is something an awful lot of posters overlooked at the time and, in my view, continue to overlook.

If that is the route they choose to go down, bringing Butt back would be an absolute travesty. I know you have your own reasons for not wanting him to be in the team but mine are based on the fact that (i) he is not good enough and (ii) the spot fixing scandal.

Bringing Aslam back is a great idea- he is a young talent who has the all the necessary characteristics to prosper in the purest format of the game.

I don't think Umar Akmal was ever a part of Mickey's test plans. Putting the most recent controversy aside, Mickey had repeatedly said Akmal was part of his LOI plans as long as he was fit. From that statement I think it can be inferred that he wasn't ever part of Mickey's plans for the test team.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

It's looking to me like the plan for the Test team is:

1. Sami Aslam
2. Salman Butt
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Asad Shafiq
6. Sarfraz Ahmed (c/wk)
7. All-rounder

I think that Mickey Arthur wanted Umar Akmal in there, and with him out of contention, he's open to accepting Salman Butt to stabilise the top order.

cant decide from the pic.. Mickey always used build teams with few experienced men and mostly youngsters.. Umar amin if played in the WORLD XI series has a great chance for himself... haris sohail already had his chance of place in the ODI squad... im sure mickey will replace MISYOU with one of following three (Haris, Amin, Usman)and bring in Faheem ashraf or Imad Wasim as allrounders... He had a plan to bring hafeez back for his bowling in tests which he gave up now i think..Will be very interesting to see how he goes about his plans in the upcoming easy series against SRL

 

[MenInG]

Umar Akmal has not endeared himself with MA and team - it is therefore possible to assume that Salman Butt features in future plans and that's what we are seeing possibly.

Remember, Mickey is now the flavour of the month after CT victory - he calls the shots