Salman Butt Comments On Legendary Pacer Wasim Akram’s Remarks On ‘Dying’ ODI Future

Jul 24, 2022 at 3:37 PM

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Salman Butt Comments On Legendary Pacer Wasim Akram’s Remarks On ‘Dying’ ODI Future

Salman Butt, the former Pakistan skipper commented on Wasim Akram‘s recent remarks over the future of ODIs, where the country’s legendary former pacer had said the format is “kind of dying.”

Over the past few weeks, there have been growing concerns over the future of the ODI format. Many cricketers – former and current – have spoken in length about how they find it difficult to watch an entire fifty-over game.

Salman Butt. Image-Twitter
Salman Butt. Image-Twitter

Salman Butt Never Wants ODI Cricket End As It’s One Of The Pillars Of Cricket

India’s off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had said that he “switches off the telly after a point of time” while watching a one-day match, while former Pakistan captain and bowling legend Wasim Akram also stated that one-day cricket is becoming a ‘drag’, and that the format is ‘kind of dying’.

The debate over the format’s future was further fuelled by the sudden retirement of Ben Stokes from ODIs. Citing his exhaustion at playing in all three formats and a packed schedule, Ben Stokes said he finds it ‘unsustainable’ to commit to the fifty-over game.

Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes (Credits: Twitter)

However, there are also voices optimistic about the future of ODIs and one of those is former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, who spoke in detail about the format on his YouTube channel.

“There are players who pick and choose. The major difference between ODIs and T20Is is that the latter has leagues, there is more money there. They don’t want to leave it. One-dayers have big tournaments but there are no leagues in it. So, if someone is facing exhaustion with the packed schedule, they prefer to retire from ODIs. This way, they can have a cash-rich option in T20s and the long format one in Tests,” Butt said.

“One-day is one of the pillars of cricket. I would never want it to end. Many players have big records in this format. There was a time when a world champion was only recognized through one-dayers.”

Star England all-rounder and 2019 World Cup final hero Ben Stokes on Monday made a surprise announcement to retire from ODI cricket, saying playing three formats has become “unsustainable” for him. The 31-year-old Ben Stokes played his last ODI against South Africa at his home ground in Durham.

Salman Butt Respects Wasim Akram’s Opinion But Points Out He Has 500 ODI Scalps

Salman Butt also opened up on Wasim Akram’s remarks, insisting that while he respects the former Pakistan skipper’s opinion, his record 502 wickets came in ODIs only.

“It is a blend of both, the longer format and the shorter format. It’s a central test of skill and adaptability. So, I believe it should stay. I respect all other opinions. Wasim bhai is our legend. Who are we to say anything to him. I respect his opinion, but he also has 500 wickets in ODIs only. The two deliveries he bowled in the World Cup that everyone remembers.. you won’t see them in T20s. There’s not enough time in that format. He was the man of the match in World Cup final.”

Wasim Akram Image Credit: Supplied
Wasim Akram Image Credit: Supplied

Wasim Akram, a devastating bowler in his prime and the first to claim 500 ODI wickets, said Ben Stokes retiring from ODIs was sad but that he understood the reasons.

“Even as a commentator… one-day cricket is just a drag now, especially after T20. I can imagine as a player. 50 overs, 50 overs, then you have to pre-game, post-game, the lunch game,” Akram said on a BBC podcast.

“T20 is kind of easier, (in) four hours the game is over. The leagues all around the world, there’s a lot more money. I suppose this is part and parcel of modern cricket — T20 or test cricket. One-day cricket is kind of dying. It is quite tiring for a player to play one-day cricket… So players are focusing on the shorter format and the longer format obviously (with) test cricket.”

Wasim Akram has opined that one-day internationals should be removed from the international cricket calendar. He also went on to say that one-day games are not going to fill the stadiums, especially in Asian countries.

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