Former skipper criticizes Pakistan's self-proclaimed cricket stars

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt was vocal in his criticism of current cricketing stars and their perceived overhype, particularly given their inability to perform in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, co-hosted by the USA and West Indies.

In a recent interview, Butt metaphorically directed his remarks at figures like seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi and captain Babar Azam, questioning whether they truly live up to their self-proclaimed greatness.

"There is a self-proclamation that our captain is the king, and the other is the world's best fast bowler," Butt said. 

"Sometimes we compare this guy (Shaheen) with (Jasprit) Bumrah and him (Babar) with (Virat) Kohli...Okay, you touched ICC (top) ranking at one point, but you also touch reality sometime. Are you able to win a match on your own? Is there a standing of our team?" he added.

Butt likened the situation to deceptive YouTube thumbnails that entice viewers with exaggerated claims. He expressed concerns about the influence of social media and paid campaigns on public perception and decision-making.

"It's similar to those YouTube thumbnails that you are enticed to click and open once," he said.

"Besides its good things, one bad thing about social media is that you can get anything done by paid campaigns...your decisions are based on paid campaigns." 

"We should bring these self-proclaimed greats back on earth and (tell them to) stay who they are. First win a match, a big tournament, fight it out to win against a big team, finish a match single-handedly, then think what you want to proclaim," he added.

The former skipper did not mince words when comparing Pakistan's cricketing stature to India's. He emphasized that India has developed a mental toughness that Pakistan currently lacks.

"India is very different from us...Their mental superiority is winning them matches...Because of being consistent, because of playing tougher teams, playing better cricket and giving better results, mentally they are accustomed now. They don't feel the pressure now like they used to earlier," he.

The left-hand batter also lamented Pakistan's lack of mental growth and adaptation to changes in the sport.

"But we haven't grown. There are changes in cricket every year, but we are not growing with that, so we are getting weaker. The other teams are growing mentally as well," he concluded.