‘I have tried everything in my power’

Test cricket

Disgraced former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt says he has tried everything in his power to earn a recall to the Test team after his ban for spot-fixing ran its course.

Butt was slapped with charges in connection with the 2010 spot-fixing scandal but feels that he has served his time and that his domestic form warrants a recall.

One of his co-accused Mohammad Amir returned to cricket in 2015 and has been a key member of the Pakistan team for some time but he was just 18 when he agreed to bowl deliberate no-balls in exchange for cash and even his return was met with resistance from senior squad members including former skipper Misbah-ul-Haq.

Speaking to Pakpassion.net Butt said: “What can one say? I have tried everything in my powers, but this has been the situation for a while now. Of course, I am disappointed at this turn of events and I really don’t know the reason or the criteria behind my non-selection for the Pakistan side. Perhaps it’s simply a case of the selectors having made up their mind to ignore me.

“For a while now, whilst Mohammad Amir is being selected for international duties, Mohammad Asif and I have been ignored for selection and its come to a point where there isn’t much more I can do. Perhaps this is more of a question now for the selectors to answer.”

Butt says that he regrets his actions in 2010 but doesn’t like to indulge regret.

“There is never any point in indulging in what-ifs, but I suppose it would have been great if I had been selected for the Test squad as that would have provided me with an opportunity to not only get back into international cricket but also perform well in England. It could have served as an opportunity for redemption in front of fans and critics in a place where things originally went so horribly wrong for me in 2010.”

Butt says that he will continue to give his all in domestic cricket with the hope of breaking back into the Pakistan team.

He added: “I am trying my best to make sure I remain in contention for a place in the Pakistan side. To this end, I am training hard and putting in the effort and aiming to do well in domestic cricket in the coming season.

“Even Pakistan’s Chief Selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq had told me that he expected me to be selected for Pakistan, but I am not sure what is stopping him from doing that. Ultimately, one has to leave these things to the Almighty and hope and pray that I am able to achieve my goal of returning to play for Pakistan once again.”

Latest