We Shouldn't Even Talk About Integrity in Pakistan Cricket: Salman Butt

[Savak]

We Shouldn't Even Talk About Integrity in Pakistan Cricket: Salman Butt

"Integrity is not something which should be talked about in Pakistan cricket," fumed tainted Salman Butt as he lashed out at those demanding a life ban on players who have been penalised for corruption.

PTI |April 10, 2020, 11:11 AM IST

"Integrity is not something which should be talked about in Pakistan cricket," fumed tainted Salman Butt as he lashed out at those demanding a life ban on players who have been penalised for corruption.

Butt had served a five-year ban for the spot-fixing scandal that broke out on Pakistan's tour of England in 2010.

He was upset at all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez for saying that there was a need to have those players back in national colours who have served punishments for spot-fixing.

Hafeez's comments were aimed at batsman Sharjeel Khan who is vying for a comeback to the national side after serving a ban for spot-fixing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

"I really don't understand why should anyone even speak on this issue and give his opinion because it doesn't really matter. Bottom line is that only the ICC and PCB should be speaking on this as they make the laws," Butt, who was Pakistan captain in 2010 in England, said.

"I know players who have been added to the team because of their connections and there have been several players who have made numerous comebacks without giving any meaningful performances. Are these things different from corruption? We shouldn't even talk about integrity in Pakistan cricket," Butt said.

Although Butt has made a comeback to domestic cricket and the PSL since completing his ban and has performed well, he is yet to be recalled to the national team.

It is no secret that in 2016, head coach Waqar Younis wanted Butt in the team but the then captain of white-ball cricket formats, Shahid Afridi opposed having him in the team.

"Punishment implies that once you have served the time, you should be treated like any other player. Where does their integrity go when they are in the mix and working with those people? Or when they endorse players because of their connections.

He also called on the ICC and PCB to have a clear policy for players who have served punishments for corruption to put an end to the unnecessary debate.

Asked specifically to comment on the former captain and batting great, Javed Miandad's suggestion that tainted players should be hanged, Butt said he would not even comment on it.

Link: https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...-in-pakistan-cricket-salman-butt-2572129.html

 

[Hawkeye]

HAHAHA.

Ban this loser from domestic as well.

National embarrassment.

 

[world cup captain]

"I know players who have been added to the team because of their connections and there have been several players who have made numerous comebacks without giving any meaningful performances. Are these things different from corruption?"

I am anything but a Butt supporter but he is absolutely spot on here. There are "seniors" that keep coming back despite no performances at the international or domestic level. Yet one of these "senior" player opposes corruption. I wonder what he has to say about this.

 

[Markhor]

It's like a world class thief telling their son to earn his money.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

This guy has no sharam left.

 

[ads101]

This is the issue. He thinks it's not as bad for him to fix if other dubious things are going on. Pakistani cricket needs to be cleaned up, and the first act would be tougher actions against fixing. Biggest thing wrong is PCB's laws on fixing. Most countries take upon themselves to deliver life bans regardless of the sentence of ICC.

Once we've tightened down on fixing, then we can more effectively deal with the other stuff. But as long as we're lenient we're going to get players making excuses. It's ok to spot fix when others of match fixing etc., or fixing isn't as bad as getting in on team connections.

Butt is very lucky to be both playing domestic and to be in PSL. In other countries he wouldn't be playing cricket. New Zealand banned Lou Vincent from even entering the cricket grounds let alone playing. Worst thing he never realises how lucky he is.

 

[gazza619]

I actually dont dislike him as much as i dislike the media that gives him any sort of coverage.

 

[Snowflake]

Ardent proponent of keeping Butt out of the national team but he's spot on with his assessment of Hafeez. This guy has made numerous comebacks without any meaningful performances. He has played so much cricket, and yet his numbers are so ordinary. A player who has played the number of matches that Hafeez has played is typically the backbone of the team and is a match winner - Hafeez is anything but that.

Hafeez has been extremely annoying of late where he's been talking like the PCB rules do not apply to him. He thinks he is "senior" enough that he can voice his opinion on matters that are out of his domain. He's an extremely delusional individual.

 

[Haroon786]

Can he be investigated for not divulging potentially corrupting secrets about these "players"?

 

[shah_1]

Life ban for spot fixing or match fixing. I don't know why people want Sharjeel back in the team?

Bringing back Amir was a mistake and PCB should admit it. FIxers should never play for Pakistan again, even if they are as talented as Bradman. 2 to 5 years ban is a joke

 

[ammar_merry]

We Shouldn't Even Talk About Integrity in Pakistan Cricket: Salman Butt

"Integrity is not something which should be talked about in Pakistan cricket," fumed tainted Salman Butt as he lashed out at those demanding a life ban on players who have been penalised for corruption.

PTI |April 10, 2020, 11:11 AM IST

"Integrity is not something which should be talked about in Pakistan cricket," fumed tainted Salman Butt as he lashed out at those demanding a life ban on players who have been penalised for corruption.

Butt had served a five-year ban for the spot-fixing scandal that broke out on Pakistan's tour of England in 2010.

He was upset at all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez for saying that there was a need to have those players back in national colours who have served punishments for spot-fixing.

Hafeez's comments were aimed at batsman Sharjeel Khan who is vying for a comeback to the national side after serving a ban for spot-fixing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

"I really don't understand why should anyone even speak on this issue and give his opinion because it doesn't really matter. Bottom line is that only the ICC and PCB should be speaking on this as they make the laws," Butt, who was Pakistan captain in 2010 in England, said.

"I know players who have been added to the team because of their connections and there have been several players who have made numerous comebacks without giving any meaningful performances. Are these things different from corruption? We shouldn't even talk about integrity in Pakistan cricket," Butt said.

Although Butt has made a comeback to domestic cricket and the PSL since completing his ban and has performed well, he is yet to be recalled to the national team.

It is no secret that in 2016, head coach Waqar Younis wanted Butt in the team but the then captain of white-ball cricket formats, Shahid Afridi opposed having him in the team.

"Punishment implies that once you have served the time, you should be treated like any other player. Where does their integrity go when they are in the mix and working with those people? Or when they endorse players because of their connections.

He also called on the ICC and PCB to have a clear policy for players who have served punishments for corruption to put an end to the unnecessary debate.

Asked specifically to comment on the former captain and batting great, Javed Miandad's suggestion that tainted players should be hanged, Butt said he would not even comment on it.

Link: https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...-in-pakistan-cricket-salman-butt-2572129.html

Integrity should be the last word coming from your mouth Mr Slaman butt.

 

[Saj]

And Hafeez and Butt are Qalandars team-mates.

Should be interesting times in that dressing-room.

 

[Zaz]

Butt always has spoken intelligently Its a shame he has this dark side to him which prevented him to achieving so much more in intnl cricket

 

[Kroll]

It's not as if Butt did anything to help the integrity of Pakistan cricket, instead helping to bring its tainted actions into the spotlight.

As a captain, he could have done so much to banish the disease within Pak cricket but was too selfish and greedy.

He besmirched the nation's reputation while bringing down fellow players with him. What a shameless person this is.

 

[Saj]

I still wonder why he got involved in fixing.

He had the world at his feet, Test captaincy and more, yet threw it all away.

 

[Majid Khan]

It’s a valid point. I mean deep down a certain senior batsman has known for over 15 years that he’s simply not good enough to perform at the top level, he knew all along that he’s never going to average more than 30 odd (and that too if more series are played against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe) while there were others with greater potential like Fawad Alam who could have served Pakistan cricket better. Why did he not retire long ago and even criticise the selectors for selecting a repeated failure like him? That would have shown integrity and then I would have no problem with him taking the moral high ground.

 

[chacha kashmiri]

It's funny that his name has been tarnished as he was the highest scorer on the tour to Australia when sadly his accomplishments went to nothing because he didn't have a good enough wicket keeper

 

[Forum363]

I still wonder why he got involved in fixing.

He had the world at his feet, Test captaincy and more, yet threw it all away.

I think its clear fixing was prevalent in cricket for many years before this scandal and many many big players got away with it. I'm sure these guys knew that.

So in his eyes, there was very little risk. Perhaps he thought some minor spot fixing is nothing in comparison to the match fixing that may have taken place to his knowledge.

Either way - what I cannot get my head around is the likes of Sharjeel and Umar being stupid after this and not learning from the mistakes.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Interesting that he is the one saying this.

 

[gazza619]

I still wonder why he got involved in fixing.

He had the world at his feet, Test captaincy and more, yet threw it all away.

He cant alone be blamed though. When he started his career, it wasnt like all the players were saints. So he kinda felt it is a normal thing to make quick money. We all grew up watching Pakistan cricket and players literally throwing games. In that context if you look at it he was only getting his bowlers to play 2/3 no balls, in his mind it was no big deal. I am not supporting him by the way. Just saying things as they are.

 

[Saj]

I think its clear fixing was prevalent in cricket for many years before this scandal and many many big players got away with it. I'm sure these guys knew that.

So in his eyes, there was very little risk. Perhaps he thought some minor spot fixing is nothing in comparison to the match fixing that may have taken place to his knowledge.

Either way - what I cannot get my head around is the likes of Sharjeel and Umar being stupid after this and not learning from the mistakes.

There's no doubt they thought they would never get caught. And it was sheer luck that they did.

 

[coy0607]

And Hafeez and Butt are Qalandars team-mates.

Should be interesting times in that dressing-room.

I doubt Hafeez tries to create any sort of situation for Butt. He seems to say thing to the media to get attention, doesn't seem like he'd actually take a stance

 

[Savak]

I still wonder why he got involved in fixing.

He had the world at his feet, Test captaincy and more, yet threw it all away.

Geoff Lawson is extremely sympathetic to him. He commented at the time the PCB was not paying players on time and some players had to wait for 3-4-5 months before being paid their dues. I remember reading an article at the time which mentioned that Butt being the only son in his family had a lot of responsibilities, his parents were divorced and he was looking after his mother and sisters and wife. He was also constructing a house and was suffering from cash flow problems.

Neither of this justifies the choice he made. But i wonder how many Pakistani players at the time were involved in the spot fixing activities that he got caught for but were lucky not to get caught.

 

[sweep_shot]

Salman Butt should be the last person to talk about integrity. He should be grateful that he avoided a lifelong ban.

 

[Forum363]

There's no doubt they thought they would never get caught. And it was sheer luck that they did.

Not luck, it was basically entrapment by News of the World. I guess bad luck on their behalf that they were the ones who got caught.

Not saying that makes them any less guilty though.

 

[CricVet]

Pakistan main besharmi dhitai say kee jati hay. Just look at the audacity.

I am not saying that he has said anything wrong but, look who is talking. If I had done what he did to bring shame to Pak cricket, I would put it as: Integrity is not something I AM WORTHY ENOUGH to talk about in Pakistan cricket.

yahan to ek kali bhaid doosri ko kali bolti hay. This corrupt culture of Pak has has given mouthpiece to every kettle to call other pot black - shameless individuals.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Our players don't have the fear of being caught and given any harsh punishments despite seeing what happened back in 2010 how they went to jail for what they did back then.

The players know that they'll be back in the team again and so some really care if they do think they will get caught as the board doesn't really set any precedent in anything as they know the board isn't bigger or powerful than let's say the media or a player especially if it is a senior player.

 

[Savak]

Personally my opinion, i think it is a bit inhuman to constantly 24/7 remind a person of his past. Butt, Asif, Amir did their time and as per ICC laws their bans from the game were over from September 2015 onwards. The PCB made a decision that they were never going to select Asif and Butt again and to be fair both never put in consistent performances to ever be considered to play for Pakistan again. Salman Butt should just look to play the rest of his remaining cricketing career in domestic cricket and enjoy a few PSL, BPL seasons and then look to have an expert analyst gig on tv and promote his youtube channel.

 

[Junaids]

I don't understand why we even discuss a 35 year old batsman.

It's absurd enough that Azhar Ali is still a failing years-past-his-best international cricketer. The last thing Pakistan needs is another one.

I am the first to acknowledge that Salman Butt was always a better batsman and tactician than Azhar Ali. But they are both too old and Butt has no-one except himself to blame for being out of the team.

Please Salman Butt, just zip it. We don't need to hear from you any more.

 

[gazza619]

I would love to see Salman Butt as next PCB Chairman. Would suit and gel with the current environment.

 

[octavian]

I would love to see Salman Butt as next PCB Chairman. Would suit and gel with the current environment.

Sad, funny and true.