Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has criticised Sourav Ganguly's statement suggesting that winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a greater challenge than winning the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Butt, known for his controversial remarks, took a subtle dig at his former Indian counterpart while expressing his disagreement.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the 38-year-old Butt dismissed Ganguly's comparison between league cricket and international cricket, emphasizing that they are entirely different in nature.
He expressed his surprise, stating, "I am shying away from any comment because I did not expect a world-class player and a captain to speak in such a way."
Butt also emphasised that there is no valid basis for comparing the IPL to WTC Final (Test cricket), emphasizing the vast differences between the two formats. He highlighted that Test cricket is the pinnacle of the sport, representing the ultimate challenge for players. He said he doesn't see any comparison between the two.
The former Pakistan skipper further dismissed Ganguly's opinion as unnecessary and unwarranted. He suggested that any player from around the world would agree that Test cricket holds unparalleled importance in the cricketing world. Butt also proposed an alternative perspective, saying that Ganguly could have mentioned the difficulty in transitioning from watching T20 cricket to appreciating the nuances of Test cricket.
The difference of opinions between Ganguly and Butt has sparked a debate among cricket enthusiasts, with fans expressing their contrasting views on the matter.
While Ganguly's support for the IPL highlights the immense popularity and competitiveness of the league, Butt's remarks underline the enduring significance and unique challenges posed by Test cricket.
As the cricketing world continues to evolve with the proliferation of various formats, the debate surrounding the relative difficulty and prestige of different tournaments is likely to persist. It remains to be seen how players, pundits, and fans engage with these discussions, each bringing their own perspectives and experiences to the table.