"Going To Blame Everybody": Pakistan Coach's "Witch-Hunt" Warning Amid Cricket World Cup Backlash

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.

"They're going to be blaming everybody, don't worry. It's just the way of the world," said Arthur.

"It's really unfair to start a witch-hunt, certainly on (captain) Babar Azam, on 'Inzi' (chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq), on our coaches, on the management team.

"What I do know is the boys have tried and the effort of the coaching staff, the effort of the players has been first-class. If they would see the amount of effort that the players and staff put in, they would be amazed."

Pakistan made 270 with Saud Shakeel (52) and Babar Azam (50) in the runs before reducing South Africa from 206-4 to 250-8.

However, tailenders Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, who had earlier taken 4-60, saw the Proteas home and to the top of the 10-nation table.

Aiden Markram had set the platform for victory with a fighting 91.

Before Friday's match the Pakistan Cricket Board had released a statement stressing it had allowed Azam and Inzamam all powers to select the World Cup squad.

Arthur admitted Pakistan were below par in the tournament.

"Look I think at a World Cup you've got to be playing your best game at the right time," said