'No one should talk about integrity in Pakistan cricket' - Salman Butt hits out at critics for supporting life ban for fixers

Critics and former cricketers from Pakistan have suggested Pakistan Cricket Board to impose life ban on cricketers who were found guilty in any type of corruption activities associated with cricket. Recently, Mohammad Hafeez had also given his remarks over the same. Contrary to that, Salman Butt, the tainted batsman from Pakistan has lashed out on everyone supporting the suggestion of life ban on cricketers involved in any type of corruption activities during their stint with the national team.

In the last decade, Pakistan cricket was dealt with major blows. In 2010, Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were found guilty for spot-fixing. Later on, Sharjeel Khan was also penalised for his involvement in spot-fixing during a Pakistan Super League game. The aforementioned players were suspended for respective tenures from PCB. However, now most of the players, who were involved in doing corrupt activities have begun playing competitive cricket after finishing their sentence.

Salman Butt lashes out at the critics

Salman Butt, the former Pakistan skipper said analysts giving opinions on this matter doesn’t make any difference. ICC and PCB are the respective bodies to give their verdict over the same as they are responsible for making cricket laws according to the 35-year-old opener.

“I really don’t understand why should anyone even speak on this issue and give his opinion because it doesn’t really matter. Bottom line is that only the ICC and PCB should be speaking on this as they make the laws,” Butt said as quoted by India Today.

He took a dig at Pakistan cricket and said that there are many players, who got place in the team due to their connections with the cricket board. And, they managed to make a comeback in the national side without giving any good performances. In his opinion, no one should talk about integrity in Pakistan cricket. Butt described the meaning of punishment that if a player has finished his time serving his sentence then they should be treated as a normal player.

“I know players who have been added to the team because of their connections and there have been several players who have made numerous comebacks without giving any meaningful performances. Are these things different from corruption. We shouldn’t even talk about integrity in Pakistan cricket. Punishment implies that once you have served the time, you should be treated like any other player,” Salman Butt added.