Salman Butt

Each of Salman Butt’s three ODI hundreds has been against India, with Pakistan winning all three ? the last, of course, being in Peshawar on Monday. But for an important 53 in the second innings in Karachi, the 21-year-old opener had a disappointing Test series, yet the 101 at the Niaz Arbab Stadium has given the perfect launch for the remaining four ODIs. Butt, who got engaged to Maria Rahim last month, is rather shy. He’s clear about his goals, though, and that came through during a one-on-one with The Telegraph

The following are excerpts

On his beginnings as a cricketer

Started young, like most in this part of the world... It didn’t take long for cricket to become a passion... Actually, I started playing in our Lahore house... Inside, in the garage... (Adds laughing) I must have broken dozens of lights and cracked quite a few mirrors!

On whether he was always an opener

Absolutely... Be it playing in the house or out on the street.

On his family

Nobody in the immediate family played cricket... My father (Zulfiqar Ali) is the project manager in a construction company and mother Sofia is a housewife. I have two sisters, one being elder to me...

On his inspiration

I followed Saeed Anwar and Aamer Sohail... Later, I began to admire Matthew Hayden... However, Imran Khan has been my role model... He was a complete cricketer... Batted, bowled and captained with distinction... More than that, Imranbhai had the killer-instinct and remains among the most positive of individuals... I liked Wasim Akram’s positive approach, too.

On interacting with Imran

Mostly at Shapes (the hi-tech gym in Lahore)... I’m a regular there and Imranbhai turns up whenever he’s in Lahore... I remember bumping into him on the eve of our tour to India last year and his advice was simple: ‘Stay at the wicket and build your innings’... Merely talking to him lifts the confidence...

On whether he interacted with Hayden on the 2004-05 tour of Australia

I did, after I got a hundred in the Sydney Test... He said I didn’t need much advice and added that the new ball has to be played with a straight bat... I try and remember that... (After a pause) Justin Langer was also around in the dressing room and even he gave some tips ? for example, that I should never compromise on focusing.

On being captained by Inzamam-ul Haq, one of the greats of the modern era

Of course, Inzybhai is always there... He’s not only a pillar of strength for the team, but a huge source of inspiration...

On the pressure as he took guard versus India for the first time, in the Platinum Jubilee ODI at the Eden (November 2004)

I’d played a couple of times at the U-19 and U-17 level, but those outings were sans the pressure I faced at the Eden... I recall fielding on the boundary and a section of the crowd kept asking me to look back. When I did, somebody taunted ‘why are you looking back? Don’t you know the population of your country will fit into this stadium?’ It was quite an experience, believe me.

On emerging the MoM by scoring an unbeaten 108

I think that match was a day after Diwali and a day before Eid... It was, therefore, more than a Platinum Jubilee ODI... Inzybhai’s words in the lead-up ? ‘expect no support and look to beat the 100,000 crowd as well’ ? had been motivating. Basically, that there couldn’t be a bigger achievement and no bigger moment to make headlines. But for that effort, I probably wouldn’t have been picked for Australia.

On the trip to Australia

It was a dream to do well as the wickets there are most challenging... I got a Test hundred, but could have done better... What I learnt most is that you’ve got to be aggressive if you want to beat the champions... If you give them even the hint of an opening, they’re going to get through. Even if they’re five down for 50, the No. 7 can come and set things right. That’s Australia... What’s remarkable is that they allow their players to express themselves and the benefit is collective.

On playing against India and Australia

If you keep the emotional content on one side, then doing well versus Australia gives the most satisfaction... Because of the passion associated with India, though, one makes a bigger name by doing well... The pressure, obviously, is more in an Indo-Pak fixture.

On failing in the solitary Test (Mohali) he played in on the tour of India, but scoring 101 in the Jamshedpur ODI

I ought to have capitalised on the chance in that first Test... The Jamshedpur innings was important as it helped establish me in the one-day XI... I would work very hard and didn’t want to see myself as a batsman with limited ability... That 101 will stay as a landmark.

On excelling against England earlier in this season

Let’s say it was a turning point in my career ? I got one hundred (122 in Multan) and two fifties in five Test innings and had good contributions in the first two ODIs... I grew as a cricketer in what was a big series for everybody.

On hobbies

I follow other sport, but if there’s time, I like spending it either with the family or friends... We go out to the malls... Eat out as well...

On being fond of squash

It improves footwork and sharpens the hand-eye coordination... Sadly, nowadays, I don’t get much time... Earlier, at Shapes, I would warm up with squash.

On his fiancee being a top-ranked tennis player

(Grins) Look, I wouldn’t like to speak about her... We’re conservative and it may not look good...

On whether he’s superstitious

Not at all... Whatever happens is with the blessings of Allah... Wearing a particular pair of gloves or carrying a certain bat can't guarantee a hundred!

On Imran and Rameez Raja seeing him as a future Pakistan captain

It’s flattering... I’ve captained at the U-19 and U-17 levels, but... If I do become the Pakistan captain with the blessings of Allah, I’m confident the demands won’t affect my batting... Whatever the level, I’ve never felt burdened whenever I’ve been the captain. I’m my own man and, if the top job comes my way, I’m going to captain my way.

Finally, his approach to cricket

There’s no point crying over what’s past... A chance lost is a chance lost, but there’s always a next time... I’ve been brought up to believe whatever happens is for the good only.