The Pakistani set a new local record with a massive 311 not out in Hong Kong University's victory over HKCC Nomads in the 35-over Saturday League match, smashing the old mark of 222. His innings included a remarkable 36 sixes and 12 fours, losing 12 balls in the process.

The deluge of cricket balls on to the busy public road and the adjacent public tennis courts resulted in the oldest cricket club in Hong Kong taking the unusual step of postponing today's Sunday League match between HKCC Optimists and Vagabonds. Butt also plays for Vagabonds.

'The Hong Kong Cricket Club is reassessing the situation in terms of public safety and has decided to postpone the match,' said Hong Kong Cricket Association official Glyn Davies.

It is believed the club will investigate raising the height of the safety nets around the ground, which has previously been used for international fixtures. Hong Kong played Malaysia and Nepal there in the Asian Cricket Council's Fast Track Countries Tournament last month.

HKCC general manager Nigel Stearns refused to be interviewed last night.

Butt, 26, said he was happy to have set the new record. It was the highest score in his career and the first time he had made a triple century. 'When I reached 200 there were another nine overs left so I decided to go for 300. I have never hit 300 before and I was delighted when I reached it in the last over,' Butt said.

Adrian Ashman, one of the Nomads' hapless bowlers, was not so enthused. 'I got belted and he smashed all the bowlers to all parts of the ground. There were no decent bowling figures to talk about,' he said.

Cricket association chairman Mike Walsh was stunned by Butt's feat. 'It is an amazing innings.'