‘Do we prioritize Test cricket? ‘- Salman Butt takes aim at the players and PCB for their lack of enthusiasm for red-ball cricket

Pakistan will first play two Tests against Bangladesh before hosting a three-match Test series against England. Due to the fact that the squad only has Abrar Ahmed as a quality spinning option, criticism has been directed on them from all directions. Speaking on the matter, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt stated that the players have prioritised T20Is over red-ball cricket.

Prior to the spot-fixing scam being exposed, Pakistan was one of the top Test-playing teams in the early 2000s. Their recent journey to Australia for the Test series served as evidence of their lacklustre performance, as they appeared to have lost the plot. However, Butt contended that players are the ones who no longer have the drive to succeed in red-ball cricket.

“Should we give Test cricket priority? Why are we worrying so much about our combination now? All we want to do is not play the format. Our guys do not frequently play first-class cricket. According to Cricket Pakistan, Butt stated, “We are the only cricket board in the world that says, ‘Let’s have two T20Is instead of one of the Test matches.”

You are the one cutting corners on the team: Salman Butt

With three chief executive officer changes in less than four years, PCB has been the most erratic board in cricket. Shaheen Afridi was also chosen the team’s white-ball captain, although he lost his position after leading them in just one series. Butt made the case that Babar is not a natural leader, drawing attention to the team’s poor record in ICC competitions, and said that management is dividing the team.

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“Babar is not a naturally gifted leader. The question is, what have you done to help him along the way? You brought in two men who had made fun of him on television. After two series, you then replaced the captain and brought him back. You are the one cutting corners on the team,” he continued.