'But he has 500 wickets in ODIs only' - Salman Butt on Wasim Akram's 'ODI is dying' remark

Over the last few weeks, a number of former players have criticized the nature of the ODIs, expressing their concerns over the future of the format. Former legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram also opined that One-day cricket is becoming a “drag” and that the format is ‘dying.’

However, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt opined that the only difference between the ODIs and T20s is that the latter has leagues around the world and has more money involved in it. Butt, even though he respects Akram’s opinion, reminded that it is ODIs where the former pacer has over 500 wickets. He reckons that two of the iconic deliveries bowled by Akram in World Cups are not something you can expect in T20 cricket, because there is not enough time for that in the shortest format.

They can have a cash-rich option in T20s: Salman Butt

Butt believes that players do not want to leave the T20Is because it has more money. He feels that if a player is facing exhaustion due to a packed schedule, they would opt out of ODIs because the T20Is and Test cricket make more money. The former Pakistan skipper believes that the one-day format is a “pillar” of cricket, adding that he would never want it to end.

“One-dayers have big tournaments but there are no leagues in it. So, if someone is facing exhaustion with a packed schedule, they prefer to retire from ODIs. This way, they can have a cash-rich option in T20s and the long format one in Tests,” Butt said on his YouTube channel.

“Wasim Bhai is our legend. Who are we to say anything to him. I respect his opinion, but he also has 500 wickets in ODIs only. The two deliveries he bowled in the World Cup that everyone remembers; you won’t see them in T20s. There’s not enough time in that format. He was the man of the match in the World Cup final,” added Butt.

Previously, Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that he “switches off the TV after a point of time” while watching the ODIs. Australian batter Usman Khawaja also stated that ODI cricket is “dying”. Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra also expressed his concerns over the future of one-day cricket, a few weeks ago.