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 on Saturday."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."We lost to South Africa but even India lost to Australia. So both the teams are on equal footing and I don't think there are any favourites. There is hardly anything to choose between the two sides," Butt said.The left-hander, who has been inconsistent in his role as an opener, said things have changed for the better now and the opening slot would not be too much of a problem for the visitors."I admit that we have not been consistent in opening. But we are getting nearer to that now and hopefully it would get better in this series," he said."Overall, I think we have played so many times against India that we have become quite familiar with them now," he added.On India's bowling attack, Butt said the hosts had a fairly strong line-up of bowlers, all capable of wrecking havoc on their day."I think India has a very good bowling attack. There is no particular bowler you can say, is better than the others," he said.On the Inzamam's retirement, Butt said Pakistan would miss the experience of the burly right-hander but the side was hoping to compensate for it with youthful vigour."He is a legend and we do miss him but life carries on. I see it as an opportunity for the youngsters to prove their worth," he said.Butt, who is yet to cement his place in the team, said he has learnt to take things in his stride and not let omissions affect him too much."It's not that difficult to keep yourself motivated in such situations. Good and bad form are a part of cricketer's life and when your are dropped it is better to take things positively as it gives you an opportunity to work on your game and come back stronger," he explained.Asked whether the two sides were playing way too often, which may lead to disinterest among the fans, Butt said, "I don't think the interest has gone down. This is the third time I have come here and the level of anticipation has only gone up," he quipped.Pakistan will play a five-match ODI starting in Guwahati on November 5 followed by a two-match Test series beginning November 22 here.
