After taking the new international coaching job of Pakistan, Mickey Arthur started working on it with already. Arthur is known as a very successful coach in the international cricket as South Africa became no.1 ranking in all format of cricket under his coaching. He was coach South Africa from 2005 to 2010. Later, Arthur also served Australia national cricket team as a coach.
Recently in an interview with PakPassion, Arthur explained his recent work profile for the struggling and currently untidy Pakistan cricket team.
When Arthur was asked about what appealed to him to take the coaching role Pakistan cricket, Arthur answered, “What appeals to me is the actual challenge of it. I think it is a massive challenge and I do enjoy challenges for my sins. I think this is a challenge that is right up there and one where I feel like I can really make a difference.”
Earlier Arthur revealed that the Pakistan bowling attack impressed him to take that role. In the interview, Arthur elaborated that by saying, “With both pace and spin there is certainly enough depth there for this bowling attack to be very good. Pakistan have produced a lot of good quick bowlers and they continue to do that and they also have some really good spin bowlers and that clearly gives them the advantage and edge at the moment.”
Arthur was also asked if he will face any problem to work with three different captains. Arthur replied, “Yes it does a little bit to be honest. We will assess that. I will go in and have a look and discuss it with Inzamam-ul-Haq and see what he thinks is the best way forward and we will go from there. Ideally you want two captains as a maximum across the three formats. That is something we will look at, even if it is three different captains that can be fine. We will do whatever we think is best.”
Arthur also spoke about the effect of Pakistan cricketers not playing IPL (Indian Premier League). Arthur spoke out, “You learn such a lot from franchise cricket tournaments and I think that could be playing a large role. Yes, it is probably right that not playing in the IPL could be affecting the performances of the Pakistan team in the 20 over format.”
Arthur told about the future of Shahid Afridi’s international cricket career. Arthur said, “Shahid has been a fantastic player for Pakistan for many years so you do not discard phenomenal players like that very easily. If we think there is a role for him we will certainly bring him back but that is a discussion for the future and another time. There is a lot of cricket to be played before we get to that discussion.”
At the end, Arthur admitted that the next few months will be tough time for Pakistan cricket. Arthur added, “Yes it is a busy and a tough time for Pakistan cricket but in that time it allows us to really assess where we are and where we want to go and it allows me a real first-hand look at the players. At the end of this six month period I will certainly know what needs to be done to take the team forward.”