Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt recently recalled his experiences of playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The southpaw was one of the few Pakistani cricketers to feature in the cash-rich league.
During his stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Butt got to spend time with KKR co-owner and Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan. Recollecting the memories, Salman Butt hailed Shahrukh as a down-to-earth person and said that he hardly behaved as an owner. Speaking on a YouTube channel, the 37-year-old said:
“Shahrukh Khan gave the Knight Riders helmet to all the players. It was a heavy one. Speaking about the owners, Shahrukh Khan and Juhi Chawla were there. They mixed two of the biggest industries – Cricket and Bollywood.”
“The launch itself was a big hit because everything was under one roof. It was also a different experience for us and I remember meeting Shahrukh Khan in the dressing room. He was lying down on a kit bag while the entire team sat on a sofa, chatting with the players. He is very down to earth, easy going, and looked after the players. There was nothing like an owner,” he added.
Salman Butt played only seven games in the inaugural edition of the cash-rich league, scoring 193 runs, including one half-century. He scored at an average of 27.57 and a strike rate of just below 120.
To aspire to be like IPL is useless and has no logic behind it – Salman Butt
The former Pakistan cricketer has come forward and made it clear that making comparisons between IPL and PSL is pointless. Salman Butt also added that the Pakistan organisers are doing their level best despite limited resources in their hands.
“To develop animosity with players or aspire to be like IPL, is useless and has no logic behind it. It’s better to calm down and maintain your limits. The limits are whatever resources we have, we are doing our best. The franchises are trying their best and have given players extra money numerous times,” he concluded.
Get the latest cricket news here and like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.