'There was no clarity...' - Ex Pakistan captain's take on India's series win vs New Zealand, compares it to Pakistan

'There was no clarity...' - Ex Pakistan captain's take on India's series win vs New Zealand, compares it to Pakistan (Image Source: Twitter)

India won the T20I series against New Zealand with the two teams competing in the final T20I on February 1, Wednesday. As one could expect, it was the Men in Blue who won the game on the back of a four-for from Hardik Pandya and a century from Shubman Gill. The Indian team were brimming with confidence on the day and never faced a setback in the match while the Black Caps looked clueless chasing a target of 235. 

Opening up on the win, former Pakistani cricketer Salman Butt said to reporters that the Kiwis never faced a tougher opponent in India but it was the clarity of thought and ability to take bold decisions that made the Men in Blue a better team. Butt compared the Indian team to Pakistan and said that the latter failed to play aggressive cricket which in turn forced them to not get their desired results. 

Notably, the Pakistani team had an embarrassing home series against England in Tests where they 0-3 to Ben Stokes and his men. While the Tests vs New Zealand with neither of the teams winning a game, the Babar Azam-led team lost the ODIs to the Black Caps and ended their dismal run at home, which fans hoped would be a memorable one. 

In every game, they have got more exposure: Salman Butt

Further, Butt lauded team India’s valiance and said that Pakistan’s rivals have a better pool of players with good exposure to international cricket, unlike their team. It remains to be seen if the Indian team would be able to carry on with the form in the Tests vs Australia as well, although it would not be easy as the Australians are giving it their all in the nets. 

“New Zealand got an opposition that is assured and clear in its thinking. Their pool of players is big and they have exposure in international cricket, whether it be the 'A' team or first-class cricket. In every game, they have got more exposure,” Butt was quoted as saying when a reporter asked if the Black Caps faced a better opponent in India. 

“The way Pakistan played their home season, there was no clarity of thought. You could see the fear in their decisions. When you play with the fear of failure, you will never get the desired results and Pakistan's home season was the proof of that. There was fear, and all the decisions were made solely in fear,” the former Pakistani captain added.