Defiant Butt puts faith in novices

Pakistan captain Salman Butt has insisted recalling former skippers Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan is far from a miracle cure as his side tries to recover from a thumping defeat by England.

Butt experienced the rollercoaster nature of life as Pakistan captain in a crushing 354-run loss in the first Test against England at Trent Bridge here on Sunday, just a week after the team marked the opening batsman’s first match as skipper with a three-wicket win over Australia at Headingley.

Now Pakistan have just five days in which to turn things around before the second of a four-match series starts at Edgbaston on Friday after they were bowled out for just 80 - their lowest total against England - on Sunday.

No answer

Pakistan had no answer as swing bowler James Anderson, albeit in helpful conditions, wreaked havoc with an astonishing return of six wickets for 17 runs in 15 overs that meant the tourists were never in with the remotest chance of chasing down what would have been a new world record fourth innings victory total of 435.

Azhar Ali and Umar Amin, batting in the key positions of three and four, managed just one run between them in the second innings slump in what was only their third Test after they each made their debuts in last month’s 150-run loss to Australia at Lord’s.

AFP