Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has hit again on the British media after sections of the UK press branded the present Pakistan facet the “worst staff in 50 years” following their heavy defeat to England within the first Take a look at at Headingley.Butt defended Pakistan’s gamers and questioned the tone of the criticism, arguing that the staff had by no means claimed to be a dominant pressure in world cricket. He additionally took purpose at England’s squad composition whereas making a pointed comparability between the 2 groups.“We by no means mentioned we had been world champions. We by no means claimed to be an enormous staff, nor did we boast about ourselves,” Butt acknowledged. “What do you consider your self? What sort of issues do you say? Phases are available in groups. Groups may not play effectively.”Butt then turned his consideration to England’s historical past of gamers from totally different nations representing the nationwide facet. He argued that Pakistan, no matter its present struggles, fields a staff developed inside its personal cricket system.“A minimum of irrespective of how our staff is, even when it is the worst ever, it is our personal,” Butt declared. “It is not from a Commonwealth, with the captain from Eire, the wicket-keeper from South Africa… one man from Scotland, one man Australian, and one man from the West Indies. This is not six nations enjoying as a staff.”His feedback got here after Pakistan had been comprehensively outplayed by England within the opening Take a look at of the three-match sequence. England sealed an innings and 103-run victory inside three days on Friday to take a 1-0 lead.England dismissed Pakistan for 135 in 37.3 overs of their second innings after taking a 238-run first-innings lead. Mohammad Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan with 41, however England’s four-man tempo assault constantly troubled the guests.Jofra Archer eliminated each openers, whereas Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue claimed eight wickets every throughout the match. Robinson completed with 8-80 and was named participant of the match, whereas Tongue took 8-89.The defeat additionally marked the start of a brand new period for England following Ben Stokes’ retirement and Brendon McCullum’s departure as Take a look at coach.England captain Joe Root praised his facet’s efficiency after the great victory.“Sensible efficiency,” Root mentioned. “You have a look at the prep we had main in, coming straight from the Hundred, the very fact we’re in a slight transition stage. I believed the way in which that we handled all of that, the readability and the way in which the blokes approached this week has been excellent.”
