Tim Paine made a mistake, apologized and stepped down, let's move on: Salman Butt

Owing to his involvement in a sexting scandal that recently became public, Tim Paine resigned as captain of the Australian Test team. This came as a shocker of news to the cricketing fraternity with mostly negative reactions on the keeper. Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt however felt the need to move on from the same incident.

The Tasmanian had apparently sent vulgar and lewd messages to a co-worker back in 2017. After the messages became viral, he was severely criticized by several cricket experts as well as cricket fans. Several Aussie cricket fans felt that he should never wear the Baggy Green again.

The 36-year-old announced his decision to step down as Australia’s Test skipper at a press conference in Hobart on Friday. However, he did clearly specify the fact that he would continue to play for Australia, and will be available for the upcoming Ashes series. The footage of the press conference went viral as well.

Salman Butt urges all to move on from the Tim Paine incident

On being asked his views about the entire sexting controversy on his YouTube channel, Salman Butt felt that people shouldn’t say nasty things about the keeper-batter. He even requested everyone to move on from this incident. Besides, the former Pakistan captain was himself involved in the spot-fixing scandal which shook the world in 2010, and thus, he knows how hard it can be for players going through a tough face in their life.

“Many people may have gone through this stage in life. I have been through something as well. People should not build their argument around someone’s misery and take high moral ground. Humans should not do this, according to me. He made a mistake, he has apologized and stepped down. Let’s move on,” said Salman Butt while speaking on his YouTube channel.

“Despite not being a fan of his game, the former Pakistan captain felt that he was a human at the end of the day and thus, needs to be shown mercy. “I am not a great fan of him as a cricketer or his attitude. He is not an outstanding batter or captain but he is human at the end of the day,” he added.

Despite making his Test debut in 2009, Paine became a regular feature in the Aussie side only in 2017. Post the Sandpaper Gate, he went on to replace Steve Smith as Australia Test captain. He has represented Australia in 35 Tests so far.