Watch: Salman Butt says 'no improvement' in Pakistani team after defeat to India
Former Pakistan batter Salman Butt has criticised the national team's failure to improve following their six-wicket defeat to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Speaking after the match, Butt highlighted Pakistan's inability to construct an innings and adapt to modern white-ball cricket.
Butt pointed out Pakistan's recurring struggles, stating that the team continues to repeat the same mistakes without learning from past failures.
'The issue is not just losing, but the fact that there is no improvement. If mistakes keep changing, it means you are trying new things, but Pakistan don't seem to know how to construct an innings, post a total, or chase one,' he said.
He criticised the batting approach, arguing that Pakistan failed to capitalise on their starts. 'We win the toss, bat first, and get five players set, yet no one scores big. Every other team has had at least one or two centurions, but no Pakistani batter has produced a match-winning innings,' Butt added.
Pakistan's dismissals also came under scrutiny, with Butt questioning their shot selection. 'Some dismissals were reckless and irresponsible. If a player has consumed deliveries, it's his responsibility to ensure the team benefits from it,' he said.
On the bowling front, Butt noted Pakistan's failure to disrupt India's batters. 'We started well with the ball, but once Rohit Sharma stepped forward and attacked, our bowlers lost control. When batters use their feet, bowlers need to adjust, but Pakistan's attack struggled under pressure,' he observed.
With Pakistan's Champions Trophy campaign now in serious doubt, Butt's remarks add to growing concerns over the team's direction and planning.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Arshad Nadeem included in Forbes '30 Under 30' list for South Asia
Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan's trailblazing javelin thrower and the country's first individual Olympic gold medallist, has been named in Forbes' 30 Under 30 list for South Asia 2025. The annual list, which recognises young leaders, innovators, and changemakers across the region, included Nadeem in the Entertainment & Sports category. The honour reflects both his sporting excellence and cultural impact in Pakistan and beyond. Nadeem, 28, rose to global prominence after securing gold at the Paris Olympics, marking a historic moment for Pakistani athletics. His journey from Mian Channu, a modest town in Punjab, to international acclaim has made him a household name and an inspiration for young athletes across South Asia. Nadeem has played a significant part in elevating Pakistan's presence in global track and field competitions. His recent performances, including another gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championship, have consolidated his reputation as one of the top javelin throwers in the world. To date, Nadeem has won 5 gold medals across various different competitions. As he looks ahead to upcoming international events, Nadeem's inclusion in the Forbes list adds another milestone to a career defined by resilience and ambition. His story continues to resonate in a region where sport often carries broader social and national significance. With this recognition, Nadeem not only carries the javelin but also the aspirations of millions of Pakistanis, as he continues to chart new territory for the nation's sporting future.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
BCCI announces schedule for New Zealand tour
New Zealand will tour India for three ODIs followed by five T20Is early next year. Photo: AFP/File The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the schedule and venues for New Zealand's white-ball tour of India, set to take place in January 2026. The tour will feature three ODIs followed by five T20Is, marking the first bilateral series between the two sides since India's win over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final earlier this year. Vadodara will mark its return to the men's international cricketing map after more than 15 years, with the city set to host the opening ODI on January 11 at the newly built Kotambi Stadium. The venue previously hosted three Women's ODIs between India and West Indies in December 2024 and six matches during the 2025 Women's Premier League (WPL). Interestingly, New Zealand also featured in Vadodara's last men's international match - an ODI at Reliance Stadium in December 2010. In that game, current India head coach Gautam Gambhir was named Player of the Match for his century, while Virat Kohli, who has since retired from T20Is and Tests but continues to play ODIs, scored an unbeaten 63. Following the series opener in Vadodara, the teams will remain in Gujarat for the second ODI in Rajkot on January 14, before the series concludes with the third ODI in Indore on January 18. The tour will then transition to the T20I leg, starting with matches in Nagpur (January 21) and Raipur (January 23). The final leg of the tour will take place in eastern and southern India, with Guwahati (January 25), Visakhapatnam (January 28), and Thiruvananthapuram (January 31) hosting the third, fourth and fifth T20Is respectively. These five T20Is are likely to be India's final preparation before they begin their campaign at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which they are co-hosting with Sri Lanka. The Men in Blue will enter the tournament as defending champions, having won the 2024 edition in the West Indies and the USA. New Zealand, on the other hand, are scheduled to play a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan immediately after their India tour concludes. New Zealand Tour of India – January 2026 Schedule ODI Series 1st ODI – Sunday, 11 January – Vadodara – 1:30 PM IST 2nd ODI – Wednesday, 14 January – Rajkot – 1:30 PM IST 3rd ODI – Sunday, 18 January – Indore – 1:30 PM IST T20I Series 1st T20I – Wednesday, 21 January – Nagpur – 7:00 PM IST 2nd T20I – Friday, 23 January – Raipur – 7:00 PM IST 3rd T20I – Sunday, 25 January – Guwahati – 7:00 PM IST 4th T20I – Wednesday, 28 January – Visakhapatnam – 7:00 PM IST 5th T20I – Saturday, 31 January – Thiruvananthapuram – 7:00 PM IST.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Glamorgan sign Imad to replace Hayden
Glamorgan have secured the services of Pakistani all-rounder Imad Wasim as an overseas replacement for the remainder of the 2025 T20 Blast campaign, following an injury to Australian cricketer Hayden Kerr. Kerr sustained the injury during Glamorgan's home fixture against Surrey, which has prematurely ended his stint with the club. In response, the Welsh outfit moved swiftly to bring in Imad, a seasoned campaigner on the global T20 circuit. Imad, who was born in Swansea, returns to familiar territory, having played 130 international matches for Pakistan and featuring in nearly 400 professional T20 games worldwide. He also represented Trent Rockets in the previous edition of The Hundred. Reflecting on the situation, Glamorgan's Director of Cricket, Mark Wallace, expressed disappointment over Kerr's injury and optimism about Imad's arrival. "It's a real shame that Hayden's injury has turned out to be a bit worse than we initially hoped. He has settled in really well and though he won't quite be fit to fulfil his initial contract at the club we hope to see Hayden back in a Glamorgan shirt in the future." "To be able to bring in someone of Imad's experience and quality at such short notice is fantastic. He'll give us plenty of options to bowl at a variety of times with the ball and as another left-handed batting option in the middle order. We're looking forward to welcoming him back to Wales." It is pertinent to mention that the all-rounder made his first appearance of the campaign against Sussex at Cardiff on Saturday. Despite Glamorgan falling to a 27-run defeat, the 35-year-old contributed with both bat and ball, taking one wicket in his four-over spell and scoring 8 runs off 8 deliveries.
