Salman Butt hopes for a new era in Pakistan cricket

Salman Butt is hoping for the inception of a new era in Pakistan cricket when World XI side visits the country for a 3-match T20I series. Pakistan is scheduled to host the Independence Cup where the visitors boast of some world class players from September 12 to 15 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Faf du Plessis will captain the visiting side which also includes Morne Morkel and Hashim Amla.

Coincidentally Butt was the last batsman to be dismissed in the controversial Test match in 2009 which was called off after the militants attacked the Sri Lanka team bus which killed 8 people and injured 7 Sri Lankans amongst players and staff. Since then, no International team apart from Zimbabwe has visited the country.

The incident was really shocking

The former Pakistan captain remembers the Test match and his own dismissal clearly as he was run out in the last over of the day. “I remember that Test vividly because on day two we were replying to a 600-plus Sri Lankan total and I had a good opening partnership of 110 with Khurram Manzoor but in the last over of the day I was run out for 48 in a disappointing manner,” the 32-year-old told AFP.

“The next day we had to continue our innings so in the morning we set off from the hotel for play but after a few minutes the bus changed its route and we returned to the hotel. Later we were told about the incident, that was really shocking. Those events changed the whole scene of Pakistan cricket and the isolation has impacted a great deal with both players and fans deprived of international cricket, but I hope the efforts of the PCB and improved security will end this isolation,” he added.

He was also happy for the people of the country that cricket is returning back in Pakistan. “Those were heartbreaking circumstances. It’s a wonderful feeling when you play before your home crowd and Pakistan´s crowds stand out in top three in the world, so finally it´s coming back and everyone is happy. The fans of this generation could not see their stars before their eyes and it impeded their progress,” said Butt, who led Pakistan in a neutral-venue series against Australia in 2010.

Butt was ousted from the side and was also sentenced imprisonment after being caught in the spot-fixing scandal in 2010. But the left hander hoped to make a comeback with strong performances in the domestic cricket.

“I have overcome that bad phase and now doing my best in domestic matches to regain my place in the Pakistan team. I have full faith in my abilities and hard work and hope my sufferings also end sooner than later,” he concluded.