INTERVIEW: Salman Butt's cricket return

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  • Butt is beginning his journey towards rehabilitation on a cricket field.

    In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, shared solely with Sport360.com, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt discusses his imminent return to the game after a five-year absence.

    Whilst the eyes of the cricketing world are firmly focused on the progress of Mohammad Amir as he continues to make significant advances towards resurrecting his international career, his former captain Salman Butt has also begun his journey towards rehabilitation.

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    Butt was 25-years-old when the news of his involvement in the now infamous spot-fixing scandal shook the cricket world in the summer of 2010. Along with left-arm bowling sensation Amir and the experienced Mohammad Asif, the left-handed batsman who had recently taken over as Pakistan’s Test captain after Shahid Afridi’s rather abrupt retirement from the game’s long format, was banned from all forms of cricket by the ICC for a period of five years.

    Despite the expiry of his ban in September this year, the Pakistan Cricket Board were adamant that the former captain must undergo rehabilitation before being allowed back to play domestic cricket in the country. Even though the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) team had made special provisions for Butt, now 31, to train with them in October, the final hurdle to return to normality for the Lahore-born cricketer was removed on December 5. The chairman of the PCB announced that Butt and Asif would both be allowed to take part in the National One Day cup, starting in early 2016.

    The Pakistan batsman was found guilty of match fixing in November 2011 at Southwark Crown Court.

    The former Pakistan Test skipper was clearly relieved by this announcement and in exclusive remarks to PakPassion.net, he expressed his delight at being allowed to take concrete steps towards the restoration of his domestic and possibly his international career.

    “I am glad and relieved to have reached this stage and am thankful to the Almighty for this second chance,” he said. “I cannot thank the PCB enough for allowing me this opportunity and I am now looking forward to the next year where I can once again start playing the game I love.”

    The road to a complete restoration of his cricket career will not be easy and Butt is acutely aware of the fact that his skills and good intentions will amount to nothing if he is not fit enough to perform on the field or if he is not offered a chance to gain valuable match practice during this journey. In this regard, the offer to play for WAPDA could only be described as a Godsend and one which the batsman is grateful for.

    “I’m fit and have been able to keep my fitness going through these five years. However, I do know that no amount of gym fitness can prepare you for the road ahead and I’m very thankful to WAPDA for backing me and giving me the opportunity to perform and I hope and pray that I can help them win domestic competitions.”

    Butt in action against England during the 2010 Test series.

    A veteran of thirty-three Test matches with 1889 runs to his name, Butt appeared to have a successful career ahead of him until 2010. An absence of five years from competitive cricket can take the edge off any player and the coming months will severely test Butt’s resolve to move ahead, a fact he readily acknowledges.

    “I can only thank the Almighty that the desire and hunger to play the game I love is very much alive in me and by the grace of God, the results will also be great. I strongly believe that I can still do well at any level of cricket. All I need is an opportunity and I will make sure I don’t disappoint anyone.”

    There will be many amongst the millions of followers of cricket who would be happy to see the back of the man who they hold responsible for the ignominy that the country suffered half a decade ago. The wounds of the summer of 2010 are yet to heal for many and it will take more than words to placate followers of Pakistan cricket who were truly shocked by the events of that time. 

    Butt, Amir and Asif have a mountain to climb before all Pakistan supporters will ever trust them in Pakistani colors again.

    And for Butt, the effort to restore trust in himself amongst these fans will be a gargantuan task but could prove the prime motivator as he takes to the cricket field once again next year.

    Butt line-ups against England captain Andrew Strauss during the Test series in England.

    He knows that his work is cut out in this regard and he will be hoping for a sympathetic ear from Pakistani cricket fans as he faces them once again.

    ”I will be offering my apologies to them when I see them,” he conceded. “I will try and convince them that despite all that has happened in the past, I still have a good character and God willing, I will do my utmost to once again win the hearts of Pakistan fans. I believe that everyone who repents and intends to do good in the future deserves a second chance. That is all I want.”

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