Salman Butt accuses Shahid Afridi of blocking his entry into Pakistan team

Pakistan former captain Salman Butt has leveled serious allegations on teammate Shahid Afridi, accusing him of blocking his entry into 2016 World T20 despite him serving the five-year ban following the 2010 spot-fixing scandal.

Butt was one of the three cricketers alongside fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif involved in the infamous spot-fixing scandal on the tour of England in August, 2010.

Butt’s allegations come while talking to local media. “I was called to the NCA [National Cricket Academy] by head coach Waqar Younis and batting coach Grant Flower and they took me to the nets and checked my fitness,” he said.

“Waqar asked me if I was mentally ready to play for Pakistan again and I said yes very much,” he added. Butt further said that everything was cleared for his comeback to the Pakistan team before Afridi, who was the captain then, stepped in and blocked his return.

“I don’t know what prompted him [Afridi] to do this, but no I didn’t go to him or speak about it. I didn’t feel it was right. But what I know is that Waqar and Flower told me I was playing the World Cup and then Afridi resisted,” Butt claimed.

Butt was named as Pakistan captain in 2010 after Afridi had stepped down as Test captain.