'Bangladesh's Average Speed Was Higher Than Us': Salman Butt Slams Pakistan Pacers After Defeat In 1st Test

Former cricketer Salman Butt was left disappointed by the performance of the Pakistan pacers in the recently concluded first Test against Bangladesh. Pakistan has a history of producing top-quality fast bowlers. From Waqar Younis to Shoaib Akhtar, several Pakistani speedsters have ruled world cricket with their fiery pace and impressive line and length. Butt felt that the quality of the Pakistan pacers has dropped in recent times. He slammed the fast-bowling unit of the current team after Pakistan suffered their first Test defeat to Bangladesh.

The hosts played four pacers in the Rawalpindi Test, but none of them could demonstrate an impactful performance. Butt shared his view on the topic during a recent session on his YouTube channel. He couldn’t accept the fact that the Bangladesh pacers’ average speed was higher than the Pakistani fast bowlers in the first Test.

“Where should I start? Playing four fast bowlers, the declaration, the line, and length—everything went wrong. I think this is the first time that the average speed of Bangladesh bowlers was higher than ours. They looked more fit than us," Butt said.

Naseem Shah was the top-performing pacer for Pakistan in the game. The 21-year-old picked up three wickets, while Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Ali, and Khurram Shahzad each claimed two scalps. They collectively conceded 359 runs at a dismal bowling average of almost 40. Salmat Butt reckoned that the “junior fast bowlers did better than the senior ones."

“So, there is a list of mistakes made by the team. Where should we start? Who should we pick and blame because the list goes on?" Butt asked. He refused to blame the Rawalpindi pitch as the Bangladesh pacers put up a commendable show on the same surface during Pakistan’s second innings.

“Pitch was not the issue. The quality of bowling was. Our bowling coach said that the pitch didn’t turn out the way we wanted. Bowlers also said that the pitch was not good. How does that make sense? Especially when Pakistan got bowled out inside two sessions. Their pacers got the wickets of our top-order batters before the spinners took responsibility in the middle," he explained.

The second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh will start on August 30 at the same Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.