Former Pakistan captain, Salman Butt comes out as a very straightforward individual, especially when it comes to making suggestions and feedback on cricket-related things. He would strike the board or its players if he didn’t like few things. Salman Butt slams Pakistan bowlers. This time, he has something to say about the Pakistani bowlers, who believe they are more concerned with fitness than with First-Class cricket.
Butt believes that fast bowlers now prefer to bowl at speeds exceeding 140 mph rather than depending on swing, line, and length. The Men in Green have produced numerous outstanding fast bowlers throughout the years, such Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhter, who exhibited various qualities including swing, seam, and the ability to strike hard distances despite their speed.
The former opening batsman expressed his disappointment with a few Pakistani fast bowlers’ performances in the ongoing sixth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021 on his YouTube channel. While the National High-Performance Center’s facilities are excellent, Butt believes that the bowlers should have the opportunity to use more skills and variations.
PAK Bowlers must spend a lot of time playing first-class cricket- Salman Butt
“Bowling at 140 kmph makes no impact if you don’t bowl at proper line and length. The batsmen love playing these type of half-volleys. They only need to direct the ball towards the boundary. Pace will help you only if you know how to swing and bowl at the correct line and length. The bowlers need to spend more time playing first-class cricket; not at the gym working on their legs. Salman Butt slams Pakistan bowlers. You’ll become an athlete, not a bowler. It is just like becoming a doctor without MBBS.”
The youthful fast bowling combination of Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain did not impress the cricketer-turned-expert. The young bowlers routinely bowl at 140-145 km/h, but they are not concentrating on their domestic game.
Butt went on to suggest that whatever activities fast bowlers perform to stay injury-free and consistent over time should only assist them to improve, rather than depending only on fitness as their primary skill.
