Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt recently disagreed with former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly’s statement that winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) is more challenging than winning an International Cricket Council (ICC) title. Butt, known for his outspoken views, stated that he did not expect such a statement from a world-class player like Ganguly.
This reaction came in response to Ganguly’s remarks following India’s loss in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. While India has come close to winning ICC tournaments in recent years, they have not secured a title since the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Salman Butt reiterated the significance of international cricket, especially Test cricket, as the pinnacle of the sport. He highlighted that representing one’s country in international matches holds a special place in every player’s career. The challenges, pressures, and demands of playing at the international level, particularly in Test matches, are unparalleled. The depth of talent and the level of competition in international cricket makes it an ultimate test for players.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Salman Butt said there is no comparison between franchise and international cricket.
“I didn’t expect a world-class player and a captain to say something like this. How can you compare league cricket with Test (and international) cricket?” Salman Butt said.
In contrast, Salman Butt pointed out that franchise cricket, including the IPL, is limited to the T20 format and involves a smaller pool of international players. He emphasized that T20 leagues predominantly feature four international players per team, while the rest are domestic talents. Comparing this scenario to the intensity and complexity of international cricket is not fair, as the dynamics and expectations are entirely different.
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“There’s no comparison. You’re comparing the ultimate format of cricket with the shortest format, where only four international players are in a team? There’s no comparison,” he added.
While acknowledging the significance and popularity of the IPL, Salman Butt stressed the importance of ICC titles in a player’s career. Winning an ICC tournament, such as the World Cup or the Champions Trophy, holds immense prestige and establishes a team’s supremacy on the global stage. Pursuing ICC titles remains a significant goal for every international cricketer, and the competition for these trophies is fierce.
