Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt strongly criticised the fitness check of the national cricket team, comparing some players to “mummies from the movies” due to their extreme use of athletic tape.
On Wednesday, Pakistan’s interim white-ball head coach, Aqib Javed, spoke-up to the media and revealed that Fakhar Zaman is suffering from knee injury and once he recovers, he will join the team. After this interview, Butt expressed his views about the team.
Aqib Javed expressed that “Fakhar Zaman is a match-winner. He’s been facing some fitness issues, but the selection committee will reconsider him once he regains fitness.”
While Aaqib responded in a positive way, Salman Butt strongly criticised the team players.
The former opening batter, while recompensing to Javed’s statement, indicated that strong training should be given to players according to their age.
“Yes, he talked about Fakhar Zaman. We all know about his knee injury, but I think with age, Fakhar needs to work on his strength,” said Butt. “I’m telling you, every single one of our players needs to do strength training to stay fit as they grow older.”
The former cricketer also expressed his strong concern about the team’s current fitness level.
“Whether it’s Fakhar or any other player, the way things are going now, they need strength training. It’s as simple as that. Just running isn’t going to achieve anything,” he stated.
Further he talked-about the extra use of athletic tape, Butt said the players’ dependence on the tape gave them a “mummy-like” display .
“I look at these players and I’m amazed—there’s tape on their knees, tape on their legs. They look less like athletes and more like mummies from the movies, wrapped in so many tapes,” he said.
He recommended that the players should focus on healthy and strong muscles other than depending on tape for support.
“Instead of wrapping your bones with tape, wrap them with muscle. Don’t fear gaining muscle weight—muscle is heavier than fat, but it protects your bones, and it enhances your agility, speed, power, and explosive strength,” he stated.
Butt further stated that strength training is very crucial for every stage of career for all players.
He expressed that “If you want to enhance your career and compete at a higher level. Whether you’re 18 or 35, this is essential for every player.”
After ending the white-ball series against Australia, the Green shirts are ready to play against Zimbabwe, including three ODI matches and three T20Is in the series, beginning November 24.
Pakistan ODI Squad for Zimbabwe tour: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani and Tayyab Tahir
Pakistan T20I Squad Zimbabwe tour: Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan
Match Schedule:
24 Nov – First ODI, Bulawayo
26 Nov – Second ODI, Bulawayo
28 Nov – Third ODI, Bulawayo
1 Dec – First T20I, Bulawayo
3 Dec – Second T20I, Bulawayo
5 Dec – Third T20I, Bulawayo
