Salman Butt slams team selection against Kiwis

LAHORE: Former Pakistan cricket captain Salman Butt has expressed his concerns over the selection of the national team for the T20I series against New Zealand, stating that it was unfair to assess players in unfamiliar conditions.

The Green Shirts lost the five-match series 4-1, with their sole victory coming in the third match, courtesy of a century by opener Hasan Nawaz. New Zealand dominated the series, outclassing Pakistan in both batting and bowling departments, except for the third game.

The emerging Pakistani batting lineup struggled to find consistency, failing to rescue the team from challenging situations. Meanwhile, the bowling attack found it difficult to contain New Zealand’s powerful batting performance.

Speaking on a digital platform, Butt emphasised the inexperience of Pakistan’s T20 players and suggested that their performances should be evaluated in conditions where they have previously excelled, such as the upcoming Bangladesh series. He further highlighted the importance of preparing players for familiar conditions, particularly with the ICC T20 World Cup approaching in Asian venues. Butt’s critique underscores the need for strategic selection and preparation as Pakistan gears up for global cricketing challenges.