Butt refuses to let PSL snub get to him

Left-handed opener says he will continue to work hard in order to earn his international return

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt said he has not been disheartened by being overlooked at the drafting ceremony for the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), vowing to carry on his bid to revive his international career.

Both Butt and fast-bowler Mohammad Asif, who served five-year bans for spot-fixing along with Mohammad Amir, were included in the players’ draft after being ignored in the list for the inaugural edition.

Amir had turned out for Karachi Kings in the first edition and many thought the remaining two of the ‘tainted trio’ might feature in the second PSL.

But all five franchises decided against picking the duo at the drafting ceremony held in Dubai on Wednesday. Butt was included in the Gold category while Asif was named in Silver.

The left-handed Butt had impressed in the National T20 Cup, amassing 350 runs in eight innings for Lahore Whites to finish as the second-highest run-getter.

“It was an honour to be included in the draft but honestly I wasn’t very hopeful,” Butt told The Express Tribune. “It would have been good if I had been selected but I am not disheartened by the snub. I still have plenty of time and I hope I will be a part of the league one day.”

Butt revealed he is focusing on first-class cricket for the time being. “My main priority nowadays is first-class cricket. I am giving my best in order to catch the eyes of the selectors,” said the opening batsman, who is leading WAPDA in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

“I have regained a lot of my old confidence by playing at domestic level,” he added. “My National T20 performance was also a boost for me. I am working hard on my fitness and am satisfied with my overall progress.”

Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) chief selector Inzamamul Haq had said earlier this month that Butt and Asif were being monitored by the selectors.

Many believe there is a reluctance to pick Butt due to his involvement in that infamous spot-fixing scandal, but the 32-year-old wants to focus on his own game rather than get caught up in such debates.

“I will continue the battle to revive my international career as I still have a lot of cricket left in me,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2016.

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