LAHORE: Pakistan’s former cricketer player Salman Butt has expressed his opinion on India’s performance in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final and its potential connection to the Indian Premier League (IPL), arguing that the dominance of shorter formats, particularly the IPL, has diminished India’s performance in Test cricket.
According to local media, Butt underlined the significance of Test cricket as the prime form of the game, also advocating for a balanced focus on all formats.
Butt said that cricket players who neglect Test cricket lose out on the depth and quality that the longer format offers. He argued that a Twenty 20 player transitioning into Test cricket raises questions about selection and suitability for the format.
He points up the need to provide opportunities to cricket players performing well in domestic cricket, allowing them to prove their capabilities in the Test cricket arena. He was of the view that cricket players with Test game experience tend to excel in all formats, implying that a strong foundation in Test games enhances a player’s overall cricketing abilities.
In Butt’s view, the IPL’s structure, with seven local players and four professionals, contrasts with the concept of 11 professionals in the Test game. He suggested that India’s struggle in Test cricket might be attributed to this disparity. He declared Twenty-20 cricket as the reason behind West Indies’ downfall.
Butt’s perspective underscores the importance of Test cricket as the foundation of all cricket formats. He urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to focus on Test cricket besides other formats.
