Salman Butt - Pakistan's next great batsman?

[Shaka]

I believe so. This boy has everything...composure...talent...strokes to die for. Best player bar none from Pakistan in the last few years IMO.

[Maranello]

He is certainly the best young batsman to come from Pakistan for quite a while. At least as talented in his array of shots and timing as Yasir Hameed, without all the flaws the latter has. On top of that, apart from Taufiq, Salman has the best temperament of the young Pakistani batsmen - the ability to be patient, leave the balls that should be left, and score off the bad deliveries. What really sets him apart though is his ability to learn & improve, as we have seen so many times already. In his short international career, he has shown considerable improvement in application and concentration, and seems to be improving with every knock. He has the grit and dedication lacking in so many young Pakistani players, so I agree, he is much futher ahead of where all his Pakistani counterparts were at a similar stage in their careers.

The key thing is that he is only 20 - that is scary! This guy can be seriously good. However, whether he will be great, and the next Saeed Anwar or David Gower, it's too early to say. Probably after a year or two, when he has his first lean patch - it will depend on how he copes with that and comes back from it.

[Paoli]

What about Matt Hayden? Apart from this li'l lean patch, he is certainly the best opener in World Cricket

Salman is of the highest quality though, as was evident with a sublime 108.

[Paoli]

Plus lets hope he doesn't grow an Anwar-like beard lol

[Maranello]

Yes but I don't think Salman Butt is a Matt Hayden replica. Salman is much more wristy, in fact is all wrists in the tradition of the best sub-continental batsmen. Like most left-handers, Salman is much stronger square of the wicket, on both sides. Hayden is not a typical left-hander, and is exceptionally strong driving and down the wicket too.

So if Salman develops into a Hayden, it will be marvellous, but Pakistan will be happy even if, after a few years, he can develop into someone lesser such as a David Gower or a Saeed Anwar.

Now we just need Taufiq Umar to make a comeback for the Justin Langer spot

[Shaka]

Maybe it's a bit premature to use terms like future 'great' but he's a class act for sure. What impressed me was his temperament which was cool through out his innings. During the opening spell by Gillespie where the new ball was seaming all over the place, Salman looked very much in control, whereas Yasir at the other end could have been out 4 times. (I actually started this thread when Pakistan were 92/0 and Yasir had a fifty but it was clear even then that the superior player was Salman).

Great to see that he went on to get his maiden century in Australia and even then had to be got out by a good delivery from McGrath. Fabulous knock from a super player.

[King Aragorn]

Originally Posted by Maranello

Now we just need Taufiq Umar to make a comeback for the Justin Langer spot

There are some chances of Taufeeq Umar being sent to Australia for the VB series. It would have been much better had he played in the tests alongside Salman Butt. Things do look much better now for Pakistan...at least on paper.

Salman Butt played very well indeed. The thirst to learn and the hard work is there which is resulting in gradual improvement in his batting. He is young and still has a long way to go but what is all important is that he continues to work hard under Woolmer and learns from his mistakes.

[vvvrulz]

Salman is certianly top draw, however I still think, despite all his flaws, that Yasir Hameed is a classy cricketer.

Taufeeq certainly deserves a comeback, it will be interesting to see how he fares alongside Butt in the opening spot.

[Shaka]

Taufeeq is a test match batsman, to bring him to Australia for a ODI series is lunacy. I think Zainub made a great point here before about his technique suffering due to him playing silly shots to answer critics who claimed he batted too slowly, and try and establish himself as a ODI player.

[shoaib]

u r absolutely right///

salman butt's quality can be judged from his century in the all important match against india

and now another century against the best bowling attack in the world ........

and to add to this Mr. Imran Khan the great has also the same views about salman butt...!