Following Pakistan’s 93-run defeat to England, Coach Mickey Arthur addressed the reasons behind the team’s underperformance.
Top Four Teams Outperformed Pakistan
Arthur admitted that Pakistan did not bring their best game to the tournament. He believes that the four best teams are now in the semi-finals, and Pakistan’s inconsistency has led to their lack of success. Despite finishing fifth, Arthur stated that this was a fair reflection of their performance over the past six weeks.
Improving Pakistan’s ODI Cricket Approach
Arthur highlighted the need for Pakistan’s ODI cricket approach to evolve. He emphasized the importance of a strong bowling attack and the need for the team to consistently score between 330-350 runs. He also pointed out that the team’s success should not be dependent on a single player.
Stability is Key for Future Success
Arthur stressed the importance of a stable environment for the team’s future success. He believes that consistent messaging and preparation are crucial for the team’s development. He also highlighted the need to nurture the young players who have promising careers ahead.
Backing Babar Azam as Captain
Arthur expressed his support for Babar Azam as captain, acknowledging that he is still learning and growing in his role. He emphasized that making mistakes is part of the learning process and believes that if the team learns from their World Cup mistakes, they have the potential to become a strong side.
Ignoring External Distractions
Arthur emphasized the importance of creating a stable environment and consistent messaging to help the players focus on their game and not be affected by external noise. He believes that a stable environment will foster player growth.
Improving Spin Bowling
Arthur acknowledged that the team’s spin bowling has not been up to the mark and needs improvement. He praised Shadab’s performance and stressed the need to encourage such performances.
Increasing Aggression in Batting
Arthur pointed out the need for the team to adopt a more aggressive batting approach. He stated that the team is being challenged every day to score 330 or 350 runs, as this is the direction the game is moving towards. He assured that this issue is being addressed and the team is working towards improving their batting.