Cricket News

‘Pakistan players are playing for themselves’ – Mickey Arthur points out instability in Pakistan cricket

Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s former team director, has stated that the team’s instability has led to players focusing primarily on maintaining their squad slots rather than the team’s performance. Pakistan had a poor performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup which was held in India. After the World Cup Babar Azam stepped down as Pakistan captain.

Later Pakistan Cricket Board announced Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood as T20 and Test captains respectively. Things don’t seem to have changed as they post the Test series against Australia and the T20 series in New Zealand.

Furthermore, there has been a noticeable upheaval within the squad, including changes in the coaching staff and new captain selections, signalling a significant revamp in the team’s structure.

“When there’s security within the environment, Pakistan is very good. When there’s that insecurity, players start playing for themselves instead of the team because they’re thinking of the next tour and the next contract. That’s a dangerous place to be in, and that’s kind of where Pakistan cricket is now. And that’s something very disappointing and sad for me,” Arthur said in an interview with ESPN Cricinfo.

Mickey Arthur, a well-known personality in Pakistan cricket who has held a variety of coaching positions, has highlighted the team’s shortcomings, notably in terms of nurturing and developing bright talent.

Pakistan cricket is in very bad condition – Mickey Arthur

“There is a lot of potential there, including several world-class players. They are not provided the support framework that they require to thrive,” he continued.

Mohammed Hafeez recently blamed the string of losses in Australia and New Zealand on the player’s lack of focus, mentioning their forthcoming obligations in franchise T20 cricket as a contributing cause.

Although his term with the Pakistan team ended on a negative note, Mickey Arthur led Pakistan to a remarkable win in the 2017 Champions Trophy, and the squad improved significantly in the Test and T20I rankings during his tenure.

“I still and will always watch Pakistan cricket. But my enthusiasm, appetite, and passion for Pakistan cricket diminished a little after that. To be very honest, I believe Pakistan cricket is in a very bad condition,” Mickey Arthur stated.