I am focusing on One-day Cup, says Butt

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt said on Tuesday that his full focus was on the ongoing National One-day Cup and he would try to work on certain things he had in mind after the event.

“I am analysing my performance. There are certain things I think I need to work on. After this tournament I will work on those things,” Butt told reporters here at National Stadium.

“I am focusing on the One-day Cup right now. I have played a fifty overs match after five and a half years,” he said.

“I am feeling really well as in both the matches I have played so far I have batted for fifty overs,” the 31-year-old left-hander added.

Salman, who has played 33 Tests and 78 One-day Internationals, said that his job was to be fully prepared for the national duty.

“It is my job to prepare well and always be ready. The things are going well. It is up to the selectors and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to pick me if the team needs me,” Butt said.

The fit-looking Butt returned to domestic cricket with a fine 135 while representing WAPDA in their first match of the National One-day Cup against FATA in Hyderabad on Sunday.

He struck 99 not out against Karachi Whites on Tuesday. The latter won the match by seven wickets.

When told that Pakistan T20 captain had said that he had no place in the national team, Salman said: “It does not matter if he has said this. He is our senior,” Butt added.

About his 99-run knock against Karachi Whites, Butt said he was quite lucky. “I was lucky to play till the end. The pitch was slow and the ball was not coming onto the bat. It was difficult to play shots. I used my experience because I knew that as the overs would pass the ball would come slower,” the player said.

“The bowlers of Karachi bowled well. It was difficult to time the ball. A few shots were timed well but those were not productive because of smart fielding,” Butt said.

He was quick to add that it was more important that his side scored more than 200. When asked where he used to practise during the course of the ban, Butt said he could not practise with the registered clubs. “Really the restrictions were there. I could not play with the registered clubs. I used to practise in the green academy which is not registered. Another place where I used to practise was Abdul Qadir Academy at the LCCA, which is also not registered. There was a pitch on its one side where boys used to bowl to me. I am thankful to all of them,” Butt said.