Salman Butt (born 7 October 1984 in Lahore, Pakistan) is a Pakistani cricketer who is a regular Test and ODI left-handed opening batsman. He made his Test debut on 3 September 2003 in the 3rd Test against Bangladesh, and a year later made his ODI debut against West Indies on 22 September 2004.

Personal life

He is graduate of Beaconhouse Garden Town, Lahore.

Early career

He started in the Under-17s and quickly progressed through to Under-19 level, although at the time he was much younger than the age limits suggest, making his senior debut for Lahore Whites in 2000 aged only 16. His talent was noticed immediately, which led to him being given a place in the Pakistan A team against England soon after. However, instead of rushing straight for the limelight of international cricket, he got his head down and consolidated by playing consistently for his region and the youth teams, until the Pakistan selectors finally drafted him in 2003.

International cricket

After his debut, Butt was dropped and struggled to regain his place due to some stiff competition for the openers' spots. He returned for the Champions' Trophy in 2004 and scored his first fifty for Pakistan in the Paktel Cup against Sri Lanka. In the ODI against India on 13 November 2004, as Pakistan chased down 292, he formed partnerships first with Shoaib Malik, putting on 113, and subsequently with Inzamam-ul-Haq. Despite having to retire hurt for seven overs due to severe cramp, he returned to steer Pakistan home, finishing on 108 not out.

Batting style

An accumulator, he works very hard for scoring runs, not indulging in too many big hits; his stats showing only two international sixes to date (12 September 2007). He scores a lot of his runs between backward point and extra cover. He uses his superb wrist work to angle the bat, placing the ball into gaps using the pace of the ball to his advantage; a very good technique for ODIs where it is best to keep the scoreboard ticking all the time. He also has the ability to cut the ball very fine down to third man if there are no slips, especially against spin bowlers, as he showed to great effect in his above-mentioned innings of 108 not out. These are his specialities, but he has large range of shots.