"Babar has realised what it’s like to play Test cricket in the toughest conditions" : Mickey Arthur

[MenInG]

"Babar has realised what it’s like to play Test cricket in the toughest conditions" : Mickey Arthur

The experiment to open with short form specialist Sharjeel Khan failed with the debutant falling for four to Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood continued Babar Azam’s poor tour when he was bowled for zero in the same over, keeping his series tally at 59 runs at an average of 11.8.

“If (Sharjeel) came off and played well we would get the momentum like Warner does for Australia,” Arthur said. “He is a quality player. He has realised what it’s like to play Test cricket in the toughest conditions. We have to hold faith with Babar.”

Under pressure veteran Younis Khan showed some vintage resolve to indicate he has not given up hope of extending his Test career despite turning 39 recently – scoring 64 in his second half century of the series.

Azhar and Younis added 100 runs to help salvage some pride from what was another demoralising effort from Pakistan on day two.

They bumbled their way in the field again, with the only respite coming when Australian captain Steve Smith showed some mercy by declaring the innings closed at 8/538.

The catch to dismiss Mitchell Starc – in what would be the final wicket of Australia’s innings – summed up the fielding performance of the visiting side.

Substitute fielder Mohammad Rizwan somehow clung onto a high catch despite unwanted attention from teammate Wahab Riaz with the pair clashing in what was a rare sign of desperation from a Pakistani fielder.

Riaz finished with three wickets, Imran and Azhar two and Yasir Shah one.

Arthur said the bowlers “are not in good shape”.

“The guys are pretty tired,” Arthur said. “Yasir has a hamstring strain. It’s not too bad. He’ll be able to bowl again at some stage. Mohammad Amir keeps going.

“We can’t work any harder on our fielding. Fielding has been a massive frustration. We set high standards, we’ve fallen short.”

http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket...cf1f1132ddcfc8b9cae1a89af43cb?from=public_rss

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur admits his bowlers are tiring but will push spinner Yasir Shah to battle through a hamstring injury for the rest of the third Test against Australia.

Arthur said the tourists' medical staff worked overtime on keeping Shah on at the SCG on Wednesday, while paceman Mohammad Amir is also showing signs of fatigue.

Pakistan's attack will be hoping for as much rest as they can when the team resumes on 2-126 chasing Australia's first innings total of 538 on Thursday.

"The guys are pretty tired, they really are. Yasir's got a hamstring strain. I don't think it's too bad. I think he'll be able to bowl again at some stage in the game," Arthur said after play.

"Over the last six, seven months, we've played a massive amount of cricket. Amir just keeps going. Even though he's showing a lot of niggles, he hasn't shirked his responsibility and he just keeps running in for that.

"They're not in good shape, but they've kept going."

Shah, who also battled a back injury on day one, bowled a mammoth 40 overs without luck, finishing with 1-167 and wasn't helped with a shoddy fielding display.

Arthur said his hamstring problem kept him from coming back after lunch.

"He's telling us he's got some pain in his hamstring, which he did when he chased a ball after a boundary yesterday. Our physios worked the whole day with him," he said.

"We tried to get through the morning session with him, and he did it. He did it admirably, he carried on and he got through the session.

"Had a lot of treatment again at lunchtime and then just couldn't get through the rest of it. Instead of having him on the field at 50 per cent, we left him off."


Read more at http://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/01/04/19/46/injuries-fatigue-hit-pakistan-bowlers#UQQDYjpzpQQDOo6F.99

 

[Mamoon]

Excellent comments again. Straight to the point and knows what he wants to convey. I am really impressed with him so far.

 

[jog_1]

He played a poor shot to a delivery that could be left alone. He won't do much in the red ball format with his static feet and lack of temperment.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Amir is good in ODIs , otherwise we could have rested him for odis.

 

[Asim2Good]

Excellent comments again. Straight to the point and know what he wants to convey. I am really impressed with him so far.

ofcourse you are.

but statements like “The guys are pretty tired,” should not be made public from anyone associated with team. specially when ODIs are still to come. its poor poor statement from coach.

 

[Mamoon]

ofcourse you are.

but statements like “The guys are pretty tired,” should not be made public from anyone associated with team. specially when ODIs are still to come. its poor poor statement from coach.

He is honest.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Spot on from him

 

[Amirforpresident]

I dont think the title is right.

Just saw the interview and I think that Mickey said that it was Babar Azam who realised what it is to play test cricket and not Sharjeel.

 

[Asim2Good]

He is honest.

ofcourse he is
but dont u think this level of "honesty" should be kept in dressing room?
he can show players their place in dressing room or in his report (be it Amir,yasir , YK whoever) but its horrible statement to b said in media

 

[Mamoon]

ofcourse he is
but dont u think this level of "honesty" should be kept in dressing room?
he can show players their place in dressing room or in his report (be it Amir,yasir , YK whoever) but its horrible statement to b said in media

That is the conventional thing to do. Mickey is unconventional and that is why I admire him.

 

[Markhor]

Excellent comments again. Straight to the point and know what he wants to convey. I am really impressed with him so far.

Yep, impressed by his direct and honest approach. Not afraid of tough questions or to admit mistakes unlike certain predecessors who'd just walk out of the press conference.

 

[Asim2Good]

That is the conventional thing to do. Mickey is unconventional and that is why I admire him.

Coach's job is to work for benefit of team, not the other way around.

ODIs are stillto be played and coach's this statement not going to help team in anyway.

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

That is the conventional thing to do. Mickey is unconventional and that is why I admire him.

Is title right?Sharjeel or Babar?
What does he actually trying to convey by this comment?

 

[Mamoon]

Is title right?Sharjeel or Babar?
What does he actually trying to convey by this comment?

He is trying to convey that it was a good experience for Sharjeel because it doesn't get better than playing Test cricket in Australia. Same goes for Babar.

 

[Mamoon]

Coach's job is to work for benefit of team, not the other way around.

ODIs are stillto be played and coach's this statement not going to help team in anyway.

At times, beating around the bush is the not the best idea. Almost every other Pakistani coach tried to be politically correct but it didn't really help the team. Our players are soft and you have to push them. Perhaps, public condemnation (if you can call it that) might work for players like Sharjeel, Babar etc.

People also took offense to his public comment that Imran is only useful on green pitches, and he was correct.

 

[samiakh]

If Aamir is so tired why is he in the ODI team? It's not like we didn't have replacements

 

[MenInG]

Mickey Arthur, Pakistan's coach, is renowned for being one of the most affable figures in international cricket marked by a trademark beaming grin. Even during the low points of his career, notably in the aftermath of his shock sacking as Australian coach, Arthur has always exuded class and professionalism.

As Pakistan's performances against Australia has deteriorated this series, it has been jarring to see Arthur look so crestfallen as captured by prying television cameras. They currently trail by 412 runs with eight wickets in hand after the second day's play on Wednesday (January 4) in the dead rubber third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. For such a stickler for discipline, which ultimately proved to be his undoing while coaching Australia, it has been undoubtedly painful for Arthur to watch his team revert to bad habits of the past.

When Arthur was appointed coach of Pakistan in May last year, he told Cricbuzz that "there will be an emphasis in improving fielding and fitness, which must get better if Pakistan are to achieve consistency across the formats".

To Arthur's dismay, Pakistan has been comical in the field marked by continual misfields and botched catches reviving images of their bumbling efforts of yesteryear.

"Very, very frustrating," Arthur told reporters about Pakistan's inept fielding. "We can't work any harder on our fielding. We set high standards, I make no apologies for that.

"We have fallen short in the fielding standards by a long way. We don't want to be labelled as a poor fielding team," he added.

Throughout the series, Pakistan's bowling arsenal - deemed their major strength - has been toothless with star legspinner Yasir Shah being eviscerated. He has returns of 7 wickets at an average of 78 in the series so far.

Adding to his woes, Yasir has been hampered by injury with Arthur confirming the legspinner had strained his left hamstring. "I don' think it's too bad," he said. "I think he'll be able to bowl again at some stage in the game."

Arthur defended Yasir's bowling this series and said he would be better for the experience. "He will learn from it. He has played a lot of cricket in the subcontinent, where he dominates" he said. "This is his second tour outside of those sort of conditions. He has struggled here. I remember when I was coaching Australia, Ravi Ashwin said it was the hardest place for him to bowl. Ravi Ashwin made absolutely no impact in Australia.

"So, it is a tough place for spinners to learn their craft. As soon as he (Yasir) comes on the Australians take him on," he added. "He is still our diamond."

Despite Mohammad Amir being wicketless in his past 64 overs of the series, Arthur was not worried about the spearhead's travails.

"When he gets them (wickets), he'll get them in bucket loads," he said. "I thought he was outstanding in Melbourne, he's been a little off here. Over the last six-seven months we have played a massive amount of cricket. He keeps running in for us.

"As a bowling unit, we haven't been able to sustain pressure," he added. "We haven't been able to bowl in partnerships."

There was a surprise when attacking batsman Sharjeel Khan was selected to replace opener Sami Aslam for the third Test despite having not made a First-class hundred since 2013-14. In his first Test knock, Sharjeel made just 4 before swiping a wide Josh Hazelwood delivery to slip in an ugly dismissal.

Arthur acknowledged the selection was a gamble but believed Sharjeel was worth a punt. "We thought we had to change it up," he said. "We had to let Sharjeel loose. It was a 50-50 chance, he could get the momentum much like David Warner does for Australia and hopefully set a tone for us.

"I think he (Sami Aslam) has a big future for us, he is technically good and over the last four months he has developed significantly," he added.

Leading up to the third Test, there was speculation that Pakistan could swap struggling No.3 Babar Azam with in-form No.6 Asad Shafiq. However, the visitors elected against the switch but Babar failed again falling for a four-ball duck before tea. Despite another low score, Arthur said it was important for Pakistan to back the 22-year-old, who he likened to Indian superstar Virat Kohli ahead of the series.

"Babar Azam is a quality player, he has realised what it is like to play Test cricket in the toughest conditions," he said. "He is very much in the Sami Aslam mould. They are the future and I think they will play together for a long time to come. We just have to hold faith in Babar."

By the end of the second day's play, there was a glimmer of hope for Pakistan due to a fighting rearguard 120-run third-wicket partnership between Younis Khan (64 not out) and Azhar Ali (unbeaten 58).

Arthur said he hoped the dogged partnership between the pair would inspire his team for the remainder of the match. "To see the resilience, character and intent from Younis and Azhar has been a real example of how we have to play," he said. "I think he's (Azhar) been fantastic in the last one year, he's been a cornerstone of our batting. The amount of time he has spent on the field (this series)...is almost beyond belief."

Apart from their second innings heroics in Brisbane, Pakistan has batted in a dour fashion, which has often put them in a tangle, but Arthur said the sedate approach was due to Australia's probing bowling. "We want to play an attacking brand of cricket and I make no secret of that," he said. "That has been an open policy of ours. Australia has bowled really well this series and have kept us under check.

"We would like to score a little bit quicker but the resilience has been brilliant and we will carry on with that same intent," he added.

http://m.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/...-fielding-standards-vs-australia-cricket-team

 

[Boi]

Yes the title is wrong. He was referring to Babar but I guess it applies to both along with Sami. Good learning curve.

 

[Asim2Good]

At times, beating around the bush is the not the best idea. Almost every other Pakistani coach tried to be politically correct but it didn't really help the team. Our players are soft and you have to push them. Perhaps, public condemnation (if you can call it that) might work for players like Sharjeel, Babar etc.

People also took offense to his public comment that Imran is only useful on green pitches, and he was correct.

He is not in position to give these kind of statements and kick his players hard when team is already down.
As for Imran, he haven't played on green wickets much, he has played mostly in uae. One match he played in NZ, came outh with avg of 21 with 6 six wickets.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Indeed the bowlers are tired and this is where there work loads should have been managed better, rested from ODI series etc.. all pur bowlers have been run into ground and its management, captain and selectors faults here.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Good Comments.

 

[AlphaFighter]

Indeed the bowlers are tired and this is where there work loads should have been managed better, rested from ODI series etc.. all pur bowlers have been run into ground and its management, captain and selectors faults here.

A pace bowling all rounder was needed in a 4 man attack. You need proper 5 full time bowlers in conditions not condusive to spin and where you are playing 3 full time seamers who can then be used in short sharp bursts of 3-4 overs per spell, the reliable part timers only come after wards where they can be relied upon to bowl 5-10 overs a day for different reasons i.e. to break a partnership, to try something different e.t.c.

 

[AlphaFighter]

He is not in position to give these kind of statements and kick his players hard when team is already down.
As for Imran, he haven't played on green wickets much, he has played mostly in uae. One match he played in NZ, came outh with avg of 21 with 6 six wickets.

Imran can be a good third seamer, atleast compared to Sohail Khan he can be relied upon to bowl 25-30 overs without breaking down or losing effectiveness.

 

[AlphaFighter]

I am delighted he is backing Sharjeel. It is vital for the test team for Sharjeel to succeed in test cricket. Enough of playing a squad full of boring, accumulating grafters. Besides success in test cricket can help Sharjeel improve his ODI play as well.

 

[sa]

Indeed the bowlers are tired and this is where there work loads should have been managed better, rested from ODI series etc.. all pur bowlers have been run into ground and its management, captain and selectors faults here.

Imran averaged 21 in FC in dead pitches... Why does he need to get wickets only in the green pitches. Look the bowlers are not good and when you watch you can tell that the players are tired. It could be because they are in a different environment and culture or they are tired because they are facing quality batsmen and can't get them out. You can't call another player from Pakistan for one dead rubber test because the players are tired. Thats not feasible. I understand that Australia's ground are way bigger than any part of the world. it comes down to fitness and not selectors.

 

[omer28]

pace attack

If we got rid of all these bowlers for this test and got 4 replacements we would have done only better . Yasir shah is not a big turner of the ball and can only take wickets on u.a.e decks where the ball keeps low and there is uneven bounce and his variations come in handy also the fact that opposing teams have scoreboard pressure chasing 450 odd in the last innings . On bouncy tracks he wont be successful . The bowlers that we would have gotten back from home would have been of similar standard but they would have been fresher and mentally stronger than the ones here . I feel even indias pace attack is stronger than ours . In uae our pace attacks weakness was camouflaged because the spinners took most of the wickets and since we were winning , we dint realize that . Now their true potential has been exposed .

rahat ali / sohail khan and imran khan might not be able to make the bowling attack of any of the teams in the world . Amir is at best an average bowler with a few spells here and there . Wahab is not useful because he is not being used correctly . he is not the fittest and should only be used in short bursts spells of 4-5 overs max .. only as an attacking option just to get wickets but our team is extremely imbalanced .. how can you expect to get any control over the match when none of your players can contain batsmen . The biggest strategy error was to be so overly dependent on yasir shah . they could have done better going with a few bowlers who could contain from one end and the others could attack ... terrible planning and captaincy . I cant blame the batsmen when the opposition scores 500-600 in every match without being troubled .

you do need an attacking batsman as an opener to upset the opposition bowlers .. whether sharjeel is the right man for it only time will tell but from a strategy point of him ..one of your openers has to be aggressive in todays cricket .

 

[FlickedOffHips]

I am delighted he is backing Sharjeel. It is vital for the test team for Sharjeel to succeed in test cricket. Enough of playing a squad full of boring, accumulating grafters. Besides success in test cricket can help Sharjeel improve his ODI play as well.

yes. and vice versa. His t20i play could be a galvanising force for his test batting.
they need to stick with him because of his upside. give him an extended run.

 

[Speedster777]

Mickey is right on the money. I would have replaced our whole bowling attack with young talented players from A tours and domestic. Raw or not don't care they would not have done worse than the so called experienced pace attack.

 

[Abdullah719]

I dont think the title is right.

Just saw the interview and I think that Mickey said that it was Babar Azam who realised what it is to play test cricket and not Sharjeel.

Is title right?Sharjeel or Babar?
What does he actually trying to convey by this comment?

Yes the title is wrong. He was referring to Babar but I guess it applies to both along with Sami. Good learning curve.

Initial article said Sharjeel but they got it wrong - Mickey was referring to Babar. Title has been adjusted now.

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

Initial article said Sharjeel but they got it wrong - Mickey was referring to Babar. Title has been adjusted now.

I think even OP article referred to babar. Most pprs did not get it. If u give it a little thought...from "He is a quality player......"......its all about babar as his name also came as a last word. Only mistake is they have not paraphrased it.