Published: Jul 22, 2024, 03:37 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 22, 2024, 03:37 PM (IST)
Indian cricket team fast bowler Mohammad Shami recently said in an interview that Pakistan should improve their selection process and not turn it into a family team that runs on personal relations. These comments did not go well with Pakistan cricket team’s former captain Salman Butt. He believes that the comments wee targeted towards Inzamam-ul-Haq – suggesting that, as chief selector, he played a role in the selection of his nephew Imam-ul-Haq. Salman added that the comments made by Shami were ‘wrong’ and further said that it was a ‘dirty hit’ on Inzamam.
“Pakistan should not pick teams based on relations and friendships. Mohammed Shami’s comments were targeted towards Inzamam-ul-Haq. He targeted Inzamam by speaking about Pakistan picking their team based on personal relations, and I think this is wrong. This is wrong because if you look at Imam’s record, he came into the Pakistan team on the basis of his performance. He was also dropped when he failed. Shami’s remarks were below the belt and he shouldn’t have said such things,” Salman said on YouTube.
“Yes, there was a controversy, which should’ve been avoided. A lot of people made statements, Inzamam also said something, Rohit Sharma also clarified, and the topic was over. But to say things about selecting players just because they are relatives is a dirty hit. Such things don’t suit Mohammed Shami. He is a renowned bowler, like how Inzamam was a renowned captain,” he added.
Earlier, Shami had an advice for Pakistan cricket team and it’s selectors.
“I don’t understand why people find it necessary to target others. Improve your selection, and send a good team, they can do it, the talent is there. Do one thing, make it a family team if you want to run the team based on personal relations,” he said.
