Salman Butt is a former Pakistan cricket captain whose career was derailed by the 2010 spot-fixing scandal. He was convicted alongside Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir for orchestrating deliberate no-balls during the Lord’s Test against England, receiving a five-year ban and a 30-month prison sentence.
Career Overview
- Full Name: Salman Butt
- Born: October 7, 1984, Lahore, Punjab
- Batting Style: Left-handed
- Bowling Style: Right-arm offbreak
- Role: Opening batter
- International Career: 2003–2010
- Captaincy: Appointed Pakistan Test captain in 2010
Salman Butt Statistics
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 33 | 1,889 | 30.46 | 3 | 122 |
| ODI | 78 | 2,725 | 36.82 | 8 | 136 |
| T20I | 24 | 595 | 28.33 | 0 | 74 |
Domestic Career Overview
Salman Butt played for a wide range of domestic teams across formats:
First-Class Teams
- Lahore Whites (2000–2005)
- Lahore Blues (2001–2002)
- National Bank of Pakistan (2000–2008)
- Lahore Shalimar (2006–2007)
- Punjab (Pakistan)
- Central Punjab (2019)
List A & T20 Teams
- Lahore Eagles (2004–2007)
- Lahore Lions (2009)
- Lahore Qalandars (2019, PSL)
- Punjab Stallions
- PCB Patron’s XI, PCB Reds, PCB Blues
Domestic Career Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Batting Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class (FC) | 121 | 8,020 | 41.67 |
| List A (LA) | 202 | 8,432 | 45.98 |
Notable Domestic Highlights
- Consistent top-order performer in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and National One-Day Cup.
- Captained Lahore Qalandars in PSL 2019, though briefly.
- Post-ban comeback: Returned to domestic cricket in 2016 and performed strongly in first-class matches.
- Mentorship role: Acted as a senior figure in Lahore squads, guiding younger players.
Salman Butt International Career
Salman Butt’s international career (2003–2010) was marked by flashes of brilliance as an opening batter, including match‑winning centuries against India and Australia, but it ended abruptly after the 2010 spot‑fixing scandal. He played 33 Tests, 78 ODIs, and 24 T20Is, scoring nearly 5,200 international runs.
International Career Timeline
- Test Debut: September 3, 2003 vs Bangladesh
- ODI Debut: September 22, 2004 vs West Indies
- T20I Debut: September 2, 2007 vs Bangladesh
- Last International: August 2010 (Tests), June 2010 (ODIs), July 2010 (T20Is)
Notable Performances
- 2004 ODI vs India (Kolkata): Scored 108, leading Pakistan to victory in a high‑pressure match.
- 2005 Test vs Australia (Sydney): Hit 108, showcasing his ability against world champions.
- 2008 Asia Cup: Consistent scorer, including 129 vs India.
- Captaincy (2010): Appointed Pakistan Test captain, but tenure cut short by scandal.
Downfall
- 2010 Lord’s Test: Found guilty of orchestrating deliberate no‑balls with Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.
- ICC Ban: 5 years from all cricket.
- UK Prison Sentence: 30 months.
- Aftermath: Returned to domestic cricket post‑ban but never regained international selection.
Legacy
Salman Butt is remembered as a stylish left‑handed opener who excelled in subcontinental conditions, particularly against India. However, his career is overshadowed by the spot‑fixing scandal, which ended his international journey prematurely.
Match Fixing Scandal
- Event: 2010 Lord’s Test vs England
- Role: Captain and orchestrator of deliberate no-balls
- Outcome:
- ICC Ban: 5 years
- UK Prison Sentence: 30 months
- Career Impact: Never returned to international cricket
- Legacy: Regarded as one of Pakistan’s most controversial figures
See More: Mohammad Asif