'Only AB de Villiers comes close to him'- Salman Butt rubbishes comparisons between Mohammad Rizwan and Rohit Sharma

Salman Butt, Rohit Sharma (Image Source: Twitter)

Pakistan are in complete dismay following their defeat against Sri Lanka in the final of the Asia Cup 2022. Many former players have voiced their opinions on the team’s performance including Salman Butt. The former player, recently, opened up on the comparisons between Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma.

The 38-year-old lauded Rohit Sharma’s free-flowing style of play and rubbished the comparisons. He then commented that the batter would be more destructive if he was half fit as Virat Kohli. Butt did not shy away from admitting that only AB de Villiers comes close to him.

"Rohit can't be compared with Babar and Rizwan. With his set of skills, Rohit would be the most destructive player if his fitness levels were half as good as Kohli's. Only AB de Villiers comes close to him,” Butt said on his YouTube channel.

The reality in the case of rankings, however, is in contrast to his statement. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam stand in the top two of the T20I rankings. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are ranked 14th and 29th respectively.

He doesn't have pace: Salman Butt

Salman Butt also opined on Bhuvneshwar Kumar on his YouTube channel and said that the bowler lacked pace. The 38-year-old cricketer claimed that the batters aren’t afraid of taking the pacer on and highlighted the lack of intent.

“He is conceding a lot of runs in the death but taking wickets in the initial overs. The bowl is slightly swinging here (in the United Arab Emirates). However, good teams will easily negate this much swing,” Butt said on Bhuvneshwar Kumar on his channel.

The former cricketer further expressed his displeasure over the pacer and felt that he shouldn’t be a part of 20-20 World Cup squad.

“The bowling wasn't that difficult. Afghanistan's batters hit through the lines, and most of them are power hitters. They didn't have proper technique, and that's why they couldn't negate the swing. Bhuvneshwar struggles with pace in death overs. He doesn't have pace, and that's why batters are not afraid of taking him on. I don't think he will be a good option for India at the 20-20 World Cup,” Butt concluded.

Although he didn't do well for India in the Asia Cup, Bhuvneshwar Kumar will look to bounce back in the 20-20 World Cup 2022. As it stands, he's well a part of the Indian squad for the 20-20 World Cup that will travel to Australia in the first week of October. However, prior to the World Cup, the Indian team will play a T20I series against Australia and South Africa.