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Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur said the team need to take their cricket to the next level after England sent them crashing out of the World Cup with a convincing 93-run defeat in Kolkata on Saturday.
KOLKATA : Pakistan need to take their game to the next level and rattle up 300-plus totals regularly if they are to make the business end of 50-overs World Cups, director of cricket Mickey Arthur said after their elimination from the tournament on Saturday.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam didn't hide his disappointment after a humiliating 93-run defeat to England in their last World Cup game in Kolkata on Saturday but hinted that he would like to lead the national team during its rebuilding phase in white-ball cricket. "We will sit together and take stock. We'll take positives from this and discuss mistakes. I'm keen to lead the rebuild," Babar said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
The race for the semi-finals have intensified. Three teams - Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan - are on eight points from as many matches. With only one spot left in the top-four, the three side's last game will be crucial. Not even a win may be enough if the other team is ahead on run-rate. Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur sought "divine help" on Monday as the 1992 champions braced for one last push to squeeze into the World Cup semi-finals before piling on the praise for "game-changing" opener Fakhar Zaman. Pakistan have recorded back-to-back wins over Bangladesh and New Zealand to reignite their campaign with Zaman returning from a knee injury to hit 81 and then a blistering 81-ball 126 not out against the Kiwis. With eight points from as many games, Pakistan not only need to beat England in their last game in Kolkata on Saturday but also hope New Zealand lose to Sri Lanka in Bengaluru two days earlier or that the match is washed out.
Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur on Friday described the tight security facing his team at the World Cup in India as "stifling", leaving players feeling as if they are "back in Covid times". Arthur's comments came a day ahead of the team's crucial match against New Zealand which Pakistan must win to keep their hopes alive of reaching the semi-finals. Several Pakistan players have already suffered fever and flu at various stages of the tournament which fast bowler Hasan Ali attributed to "room sickness." Players are not allowed to venture out of their hotel without heavy security, forcing them to spend most of their time in hotel rooms.
BENGALURU : Pakistan's Shadab Khan remains a doubt for their World Cup game against New Zealand after suffering concussion, team director Mickey Arthur said on Friday, although the all-rounder passed a preliminary test.
Together with Babar Azam's Pakistan side, the team director Mickey Arthur is also under the spotlight owing to their poor Cricket World Cup 2023 performances. While comeback and semi-final qualification chances aren't entirely ruled out for the Pakistan team, there remain only mathematical chances when it comes to securing a top 4 position. When Pakistan great Ramiz Raja was asked about a 1992-like comeback by former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar, the former gave a cheeky response.
Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur warned against a "witch-hunt" after their World Cup dream suffered a likely fatal blow on Friday. Pakistan slipped to a one-wicket loss at the hands of South Africa, their fourth defeat in six games in India. Pakistan, who were ranked as the world's top ODI team last month, won their first two games of the tournament. However, they then slumped to defeats against arch-rivals India, Australia and Afghanistan before going down to the Proteas on Friday. They will have to win their remaining three matches and hope other results go their way if they are to sneak into the semi-finals.