If Sreesanth targets me, my bat will reply him: Butt

New Delhi, Nov 3 (UNI) Off late S Sreesanth have enriched his list of enemies because of his agressive attitude, but Pakistan opener Salman Butt today warned the maverick Indian pacer to look for his steps in the upcoming ODI series.

''Sreesanth is a very good bowler but Andrew Symonds can give minute details about him better than me. If he targets me in the series then I won't stand as a mute spectator,'' Butt told reporters here, a day before leaving for Guwahati for the first ODI.

The fomer Pakistan vice-captain, however, clarified that instead of his tongue, it is the bat which he will use as his weapon to reply the young Kerala pacer.

''My bat will give him the desired reply if any verbal confrontation erupts between him (Sreesanth) and me,'' he added.

Opining that a bit of aggressive attitude would raise the level of competition in the high voltage series, considered as the Indo-Pak version of the Ashes, the 23-year-old left-hander said, ''If there are aggressive players in both the teams it will be good for the series.'' Sreesanth has had an eventful Future Cup ODI series against Australia where he targeted the Aussie players with his strange behaviour especially against all-rounder Andrew Symonds.

When asked about senior player Younis Khan taking over as the vice-captain of the team, Butt clarified that he did not lose the job for his poor form, instead he himself stepped down to concentrate on his batting.

''Let me make one thing clear I didn't lose it (vice-captaincy), but left it myself so that I can concentrate on my batting. I have age on my side and in near future if I am offered the same I will definitely accept it,'' he reiterated.

He also rated the series above the Ashes, and seemed confident that his side wold put up a good show and he himself would run back to form, the indication of which was evident from the touring side's comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Delhi Ranji team yesterday with Butt scoring a sparkling unbeaten 83 runs of just 84 balls.

''The whole world rates Indo-Pak series above the Ashes. It is different for a normal spectator and for a professional. A professional knows the in and outs of the game.

''As such there is no pressure factor on us but it is keenly watched and so both the sides will try not to give an inch to the other. Thats how I take an Indo-Pak series,'' he said.

The five-match series kick off on Monday at Guwahati.

UNI