Fitness has always been a hot topic in Pakistan cricket, and this time, former captain Salman Butt isn’t holding back. Commenting on the ongoing fitness issues surrounding Fakhar Zaman, Butt took the opportunity to highlight a glaring problem—Pakistan players’ lack of strength training. And his analogy? Players resembling “mummies” wrapped in tape.
Fakhar Zaman’s Struggles
Fakhar Zaman, once a mainstay at the top of Pakistan’s batting order, has found himself out of the national setup due to a persistent knee injury. He was excluded from the 2024-25 central contracts and missed out on tours to Australia and Zimbabwe.
Interim head coach Aaqib Javed, speaking to the media in Lahore, called Fakhar a “match-winner” and reassured fans of his eventual return.
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“Fakhar Zaman is a match-winner. He’s been facing some fitness issues, but the selection committee will reconsider him once he regains fitness,” said Aaqib.
While Aaqib’s words were full of optimism, Salman Butt chose a more critical route. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Butt dissected not just Fakhar’s situation but the overall fitness culture within the team.
Salman Butt’s Bold Critique
Butt didn’t mince words when addressing what he sees as a lack of proper strength training among Pakistan players.
“Yes, Aaqib Javed talked about Fakhar Zaman. We all know about his knee injury, but with age, Fakhar needs to work on his strength. And honestly, every single one of our players needs to do strength training. It’s essential for staying fit as they grow older,” he remarked.
The former captain pointed out that fitness is not just about endurance or cardio. “Just running isn’t enough to build resilience. Whether it’s Fakhar or any other player, strength training is a must. It’s as simple as that.”
“They Look Like Mummies”
One of Butt’s standout remarks was his comparison of players to “Egyptian mummies” due to their excessive use of athletic tape.
“I look at these players, and I’m amazed—there’s tape on their knees, tape on their legs. They look less like athletes and more like mummies from the movies, wrapped in so many tapes,” he said.
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This analogy, though amusing, underscores a serious issue. Butt emphasized that relying on external supports like tape can only do so much. Building muscle strength, on the other hand, offers long-term protection and enhances performance.
“Instead of wrapping your bones with tape, wrap them with muscle. Don’t fear gaining muscle weight. Muscle protects your bones, and it enhances agility, speed, and explosive strength,” Butt advised.
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