‘Layoff responsiblefor poor show’

Published October 11, 2007

LAHORE, Oct 10: Pakistan vice-captain Salman Butt has admitted that the overall performance of the team against South Africa is not satisfactory and blamed the layoff for the poor show.

He was talking with reporters after third day’s play of the second Test against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

“We are playing Test cricket after a gap of several months and it will take some time to adjust,” the left-handed opening batsman said.

He, however, did not hold any individual responsible for the poor show and vowed for better performance in the remaining two days of the Test to save it.

Salman was the first one from the Pakistan side who appeared before journalists during the second Test while the team management preferred not to face the media due to their disappointing performance.

“We did make some mistakes but we will try to save the Test,” Salman said.

He accepted that the team would miss Mohammad Asif on Thursday, who bowled only four overs on Wednesday before leaving the ground with pain in elbow.

The vice-captain added that unfortunately some decisions of umpires went against Pakistan in the series. He cited examples of his own dismissal in Karachi and Mohammad Yousuf’s in Lahore.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s spinner Paul Harris said he was quite satisfied with his performance in the Test series.

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