Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has hit back at the British media after sections of the UK press branded the current Pakistan side the “worst team in 50 years” following their heavy defeat to England in the first Test at Headingley.Butt defended Pakistan’s players and questioned the tone of the criticism, arguing that the team had never claimed to be a dominant force in world cricket. He also took aim at England’s squad composition while making a pointed comparison between the two teams.“We never said we were world champions. We never claimed to be a big team, nor did we boast about ourselves,” Butt stated. “What do you think of yourself? What kind of things do you say? Phases come in teams. Teams might not play well.”Butt then turned his attention to England’s history of players from different countries representing the national side. He argued that Pakistan, regardless of its current struggles, fields a team developed within its own cricket system.“At least no matter how our team is, even if it’s the worst ever, it’s our own,” Butt declared. “It’s not from a Commonwealth, with the captain from Ireland, the wicket-keeper from South Africa… one guy from Scotland, one guy Australian, and one guy from the West Indies. This isn’t six nations playing as a team.”His comments came after Pakistan were comprehensively outplayed by England in the opening Test of the three-match series. England sealed an innings and 103-run victory inside three days on Friday to take a 1-0 lead.England dismissed Pakistan for 135 in 37.3 overs in their second innings after taking a 238-run first-innings lead. Mohammad Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan with 41, but England’s four-man pace attack consistently troubled the visitors.Jofra Archer removed both openers, while Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue claimed eight wickets each across the match. Robinson finished with 8-80 and was named player of the match, while Tongue took 8-89.The defeat also marked the beginning of a new era for England following Ben Stokes’ retirement and Brendon McCullum’s departure as Test coach.England captain Joe Root praised his side’s performance after the comprehensive victory.“Brilliant performance,” Root said. “You look at the prep we had leading in, coming straight from the Hundred, the fact we’re in a slight transition stage. I thought the way that we dealt with all of that, the clarity and the way the guys approached this week has been outstanding.”
