Salman Butt marks cricket comeback with blistering hundred

[Devil Soul]

Salman Butt marks cricket comeback with blistering hundred
AFP — PUBLISHED 23 MINUTES AGO

Butt showed signs of his past talents with a brilliant 143-ball 135 including 14 boundaries. — AFP
HYDERABAD: Former Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt smashed a century as he and Mohammad Asif returned to domestic action in the national one-day tournament on Sunday, four months after completing five-year bans for spot-fixing.

The duo, along with Mohammad Amir, were banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for bowling deliberate no-balls in return for money during the Lord's Test against England on Pakistan's tour in 2010.

The three players and their agent Mazhar Majeed were later jailed in Britain.

The ICC lifted the sanctions on the pair in September, making them eligible for national and international matches.

Amir, whose ban was relaxed in April 2015, boarded a plane on Sunday to New Zealand after he was included in Pakistan's one-day and Twenty20 squads.

Butt and Asif travelled to Hyderabad to play for Water and Power Development Authority against the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

Butt, seen as a competent one-day batsman before his ban, showed signs of his past talents with a brilliant 143-ball 135 including 14 boundaries to lead his team to 278-7 in 50 overs.

The 31-year-old said he would remember his comeback innings.

“A hundred on return is something I will remember and I am satisfied with my batting and will hope to continue the same form in the remaining matches,” said Butt.

He also thanked retired players including current coach Waqar Younis for his support and credited batting legend Mohammed Yousuf with helping him with his technique in the nets.

Earlier he had described the match as a “rebirth” and expressed his desire to return to don the Pakistan colours.

He added that the return of Amir would boost Pakistan's chances on their New Zealand tour, where they play three T20 and as many one-day internationals.

“Without doubt, Amir's return will strengthen Pakistan's bowling and competition will grow in the bowling contingent and others' performances will also get better, so I wish him the best,” said the tainted opening batsman.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Good to see cricketers play cricket

 

[EagleEyes]

Good to see cricketers play cricket

There is a lot more money to be made.

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

For forcing Amir to fix, and as a captain of that team he deserved total ban.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

I think ICC's ban for 5 years was illegal as the outcome of game was not effected. Should have been 1-2 games like in football for red card (unsports man behavior)

Stepping over a line is unsportsman behavior 2-5 games ban and fine of money. Like taking a catch illegally off the ground

It would be more serious offence had they intentionally under-performed like going out on 0
or letting batsmen hit them for 120 runs in ODI

 

[Moonlight]

I don't know WTH he did the mistake of 'spot-fixing'. It ruined his career badly.
He was one of the best batsman at the time in Pakistan's team. Hopefully, he have learned his lessons. All the best wishes to him for future.

 

[Rashid Mahmood]

He has no place in the national team anymore.

 

[Counterpunch]

I think ICC's ban for 5 years was illegal as the outcome of game was not effected. Should have been 1-2 games like in football for red card (unsports man behavior)

Stepping over a line is unsportsman behavior 2-5 games ban and fine of money. Like taking a catch illegally off the ground

It would be more serious offence had they intentionally under-performed like going out on 0
or letting batsmen hit them for 120 runs in ODI

It was not the action that was penalized, but the intention. Corruption.

I don't know WTH he did the mistake of 'spot-fixing'. It ruined his career badly.
He was one of the best batsman at the time in Pakistan's team. Hopefully, he have learned his lessons. All the best wishes to him for future.

It is really disappointing and frustrating, but the fact is there were lot many players involved in such fixing (termed as 'fancy' in the bookies world). However, the Pakistani trio was targeted and exposed. It was the worst period for Pakistan overall with no good news coming for years. Lot of good has happened ever since Alhumdolillah.

 

[Sipahi]

Asif and Salman are not welcome in National team anymore.

 

[Counterpunch]

Asif and Salman are not welcome in National team anymore.

Says who?

Forgiving it seems is our national sport. But we are very choosy. We forgive whom we cannot revenge or we forgive if forgiving benefits us. This is the reason why we have come to the state that we are in.

However, contradicting my above statement and playing my national sport (since precedence of Amir is there) I have no issues why Salman and Asif should not get fair chance at selection having served the sentence for their sins

 

[Sipahi]

Says who?

Forgiving it seems is our national sport. But we are very choosy. We forgive whom we cannot revenge or we forgive if forgiving benefits us. This is the reason why we have come to the state that we are in.

However, contradicting my above statement and playing my national sport (since precedence of Amir is there) I have no issues why Salman and Asif should not get fair chance at selection having served the sentence for their sins

I think team will have some issues,

 

[Counterpunch]

I think team will have some issues,

I am not sure why the court(s), ICC etc. didn't ensure that the trio is not victimized in any way. If I have to chose between my own morals and the legal system I would choose the later any day, not because of my lack of trust in my morality but because of absolutely no trust in morality of the others and hence the legal (reward punishment system) is what saves me at the end of the day

Having said that, rest of the players are not playing out of their love for the country. They are professionals who are paid to do what they do. (although paid a bit too much for what little they do) and hence they should not be allowed to play the boss. There shouldn't be an environment of victimization based on whatever grounds

 

[Moonlight]

I think team will have some issues,

I was in favor of Amir's comeback in team and international matches. But if Salman & Asif won't have any place in team, Amir should be out of the team too. Justice for everyone or for none.

 

[Moonlight]

It is really disappointing and frustrating, but the fact is there were lot many players involved in such fixing (termed as 'fancy' in the bookies world). However, the Pakistani trio was targeted and exposed. It was the worst period for Pakistan overall with no good news coming for years. Lot of good has happened ever since Alhumdolillah.

We are favorites of everyone. That is why they keep eyes on us. Special attention. :p

 

[Sipahi]

I was in favor of Amir's comeback in team and international matches. But if Salman & Asif won't have any place in team, Amir should be out of the team too. Justice for everyone or for none.

Politiks aa jani hai team mein... Abhi tou bechare Aamir ko ni aane dey rhey, aap ki team ka kaptaan kehta hai k mein ni khelun ga agar Aamir khela tou....

Salman, Asif k liye poori dunia pari hai, Bangladesh mein khalain, Australia mein khelain, PSL and khelain ... National team zara saaf suthri honi chahiye