Salman Butt slams Imam-ul-Haq's exclusion for Bangladesh Test series

Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt has expressed his disappointment over the exclusion of Imam-ul-Haq from Pakistan's squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Pakistan is set to face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series, with the first match scheduled in Rawalpindi on August 21 and the second in Karachi on August 30.

The recent announcement of Pakistan's squad raised eyebrows, particularly with the omission of Imam-ul-Haq, a key opening batter. Despite his recent struggles, many expected Imam to be retained. Instead, young Saim Ayub, who hasn’t had a strong record, was kept in the squad.

Salman Butt questioned the decision, suggesting that it might be based on personal preferences rather than performance. He pointed out that although Imam has been struggling, especially against Australia where he had difficulty handling short balls, there wasn't a clear replacement who could have taken his place. He mentioned that Saim Ayub has also not performed well but might find success against a relatively easier opponent like Bangladesh.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Butt said, "I believe that either you should have some very strong options before dropping someone or some outstanding performances were going on. But you picked a youngster, I think probably a result of liking. He has also got a lot of chances but he hasn't scored many runs. But maybe now he does because, in Pakistan, Bangladesh can be a relatively easier opposition. It can prove to be,"

He further added that while Bangladesh should not be underestimated, they are generally seen as a less challenging opponent compared to teams like Australia or England.

"You shouldn't take anyone easy but comparatively, if you are playing against Australia, England or Bangladesh, then you can say that Bangladesh is the easier option. The rest is that anyone can win and the way Pakistan has been playing cricket for a long time, no one knows how they will play against it."

Butt also sympathized with Imam-ul-Haq, saying that the player must feel wronged by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He criticized the board's reasoning for dropping Imam, particularly the claim that his "lack of intent" was the cause. Butt argued that this reasoning might not have come from someone with deep cricketing knowledge and suggested that those making decisions may not be communicating effectively with the players.

"But I think that Imam must be feeling very hard done, especially when he was told that his intent was not right in the Australia series. And those who said that they have nothing to do with cricket. But someone must have told him that to say, someone must have assigned him on duty, someone must have told him that you talk to him. And the people who play cricket, I don't know why they hesitate,"

"They sit in the decision-making and they get scared while talking. They feel that their hands are tied. There are some people on the cricket board who have had their hands tied for long. They don't even want to open their hands. They are told that their hands are tied and they believe their hands are tied," he concluded.

The Test series against Bangladesh will be an important test for the Pakistan team as they look to bounce back from recent challenges. Whether the decision to exclude Imam and retain Saim Ayub pays off remains to be seen.