He gave up vice-captaincy to focus on his batting and now Pakistani opener Salman
Butt is hoping to emerge as a star player during his team's cricket series
against India starting next week.
"I stepped down as vice-captain because I think I still need a lot of time
with me before I take up such a responsibility. I wanted to focus on my batting,"
Butt said in a media interaction here today.
"I would not say that it was putting pressure on me but I think somebody
who has been there in the team for a long time (Younis Khan) is better
for the job. In the meantime, I can just focus on getting good results with
the bat and improve myself. The seniors can make plans and strategies and we
would just follow them," he added.
The 23-year-old felt India-Pakistan series have always created
new stars and said he was hoping to be one such top performer during his third
tour here.
"India-Pakistan series is always a big opportunity for
youngsters to become stars. In the past, anyone who has done well in an India-Pakistan
series has gone on to become a huge star. So I see it as a great chance,"
he said.
Butt is not too bothered by Pakistan's loss to South Africa
at home last month and said it would have no bearing on the team morale as even
India -- post the Twenty20 World Cup euphoria -- have been brought back to earth
after losing the five-match ODI series to Australia.
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