Salman Butt criticizes claims of ICC favoring India in T20 World Cup 2024

Butt addressed the controversy, highlighting perceived biases in scheduling and match conditions

PHOTO: PCB

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has criticized the allegations suggesting that India received favorable treatment from the International Cricket Council (ICC) en route to the 2024 T20 World Cup final.

Speaking on a local YouTube show, Butt addressed the controversy, highlighting perceived biases in scheduling and match conditions.

“We people are talking a lot about how ICC have favored India, how they scheduled their game in Guyana. If we had scored 42 runs in 42 balls – having eight wickets in hand – those would have been our matches. Let’s not think that since it's India, we need to speak something on the matter,” Butt said.

“If we speak professionally and on the basis of merit, they have played better cricket; their cricketing pathways are pretty clear. Their role clarity, leadership, coaching, the way they create bench strength….they have announced squad for the Zimbabwe series recently with all the youngsters and a young captain. They will play a five-Test series against Australia this year, and before it will send their A-team to play four-day cricket. So they do all the right things,” he added.

The former skipper also highlighted a stark contrast in Pakistan's cricketing approach.

“We have a series against Bangladesh in Pakistan, and we are going to Australia to play the four-day match. That too in Darwin. Then we turn to district T20 cricket, while Pakistan’s next big event is 50-overs Champions Trophy (2025). Who is our planner? Paper islamiyat ka hota hai, hum taiyaari English ki karte hai (We have an exam of Islamiyat and prepare for English). Whatever we do is irrelevant. And then, we don’t like India winning. This does not present the right mindset,” he concluded.

It is worth noting that the Indian team had a successful T20 World Cup campaign, remaining unbeaten throughout and securing the title for the second time after 17 years.

This accomplishment makes India the third team, alongside England and West Indies, to win the T20 World Cup twice.