[EXCLUSIVE] "Pakistan cricket has been disappointing in last 12 months": Mickey Arthur

[Cricket Warrior]

In an exclusive interview, former Pakistan head coach and seasoned international strategist Mickey Arthur opened up about the turbulent state of Pakistan cricket and shared his thoughts on the path ahead. Having coached top sides like Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Karachi Kings, Arthur reflected on his emotional tenure with Pakistan and the team’s ongoing challenges.

Key topics include:

Instability Hurting Progress: “Pakistan cricket keeps shooting itself in the foot,” Arthur says, highlighting how constant changes undermine development.

Coaching Losses: He expressed disappointment over the exits of Gillespie, Kirsten, and Nielsen.

Support for Hesson: Arthur backs Mike Hesson as the “right man for the job.”

Test Performance Concerns: He called Pakistan’s current WTC position unacceptable: “Ninth is nowhere near good enough.”

Home Conditions Debate: Questions whether spin-friendly pitches help or harm long-term player growth.

Backing Babar & Rizwan: Says they’re rare talents: “Class players don’t come around very often.”

Advice to PCB: Pushes for stability, coach autonomy, and long-term player development.

Watch full interview here:

 

[Sarmad]

These kind of patches are cyclical. Not the first time this has happened

 

[Sarmad]

Let me point out a very important things which other teams have been doing since last 4 to 5 years or may be more.

Whenever, we get a talented player, we make him play all the three formats. We don't go for specialised players for all the formats. Even Bangladesh and Afghanistan are doing this.

We over use players. Which ultimately results in player injuries or attitude issues.

 

[Sarmad]

Prime examples of players facing injuries are Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Muhammad Irfan ( the heighten one), Junaid khan, Shaheen Shah, Naseem Shah.


Examples of players facing attitude issues are Muhammad Shahzad, umar Akmal, Shaheen Shah also

 

[BouncerGuy]

Yes. It has been disappointing to see this team playing even worse than a minnow. PCB changed coaches and captain like they are changing clothese...

 

[Ball Blazer]

Too many changes in management and each of them coming up with their own rules and captains. It was meant to be

 

[Cricket Warrior]

PSL has produced some serious talent and how the young lads played against Bangladesh, it clearly shows that Pakistan cricket is now on the right path.

 

[shamaan]

PSL has produced some serious talent and how the young lads played against Bangladesh, it clearly shows that Pakistan cricket is now on the right path.

But they should be given a long run and not dropped after 1 or 2 bad performances.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Former Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur will guide Rangpur Riders’ title defence in the 2025 Global Super League (GSL) remotely, team director Shanian Taneem said:

"As the English County Championship is ongoing and Mickey is coaching Derbyshire County Cricket Club, he is unavailable at the moment,"

"Therefore, we are appointing Greg Smith as our head coach. He is someone Mickey fully trusts. Mickey will stay connected with the players and continue to offer his input. Greg will lead the team under Mickey's guidance."

"Mickey Arthur was our head coach during the previous Global Super League and the last edition of the Bangladesh Premier League. We have strong confidence in his abilities. While forming our squad, we remained in constant touch with him and discussed which players would perform well on Guyana's pitches."

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Arthur signs new deal with Derbyshire

Derbyshire Head of Cricket, Mickey Arthur, has signed a new contract, keeping him with the Club until the end of the 2028 season.

Arthur, who has held Head Coaching roles with South Africa, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, has been with Derbyshire since 2022, reaching the Vitality Blast quarter-finals in his first season, while the side narrowly missed out on promotion in the Rothesay County Championship last summer.

Ahead of the 2026 season, Derbyshire have added 2025 Rothesay County Championship winners Mohammad Abbas, who made his Test debut under Arthur, and Matt Montgomery, while England spinner, Shoaib Bashir, has also penned a two-year deal with the Club.

As well as the new additions, several of Derbyshire’s key players have committed their futures to the Club, with Aneurin Donald, Martin Andersson and Zak Chappell among those to sign new contracts in the off-season.

Four Pathway graduates have made first team debuts for Derbyshire under Arthur so far, with Joe Hawkins and Harry Moore going on to represent England at Under 19s and Lions level respectively.

Upon signing his new deal, Arthur said: “Since the first day I joined Derbyshire, I have always said I feel at home with this Club and that feeling is stronger now than ever.

“This is a special Club and we are working every day to win silverware for our supporters and to get Derbyshire to that top table of county cricket.

“I’m immensely proud of the progress we have made, it’s not always been easy and we’ve had setbacks, but I truly feel we are putting the foundations in place for sustained success.

“Our project is moving in the right direction, our players are getting better every single day and we will keep working tirelessly until we are showing those results on the field.”

Derbyshire Chair, Ian Morgan, added: “Ever since he joined the Club, Mickey has shown incredible dedication and work ethic to furthering the development of our men’s cricket programme at all levels, from giving opportunities to Pathway graduates, to bringing the best out of experienced players.

“Having a world-renowned coach in Mickey, with his strong relationships and contacts within the game, means we are now attracting players who once may not have considered Derbyshire for their next move.

“Players are also less inclined to look for moves now, because they see working within our current structure as the best thing for their development.

“After narrowly missing out on promotion to Division One in 2025, we have added some fantastic talents and retained our biggest names, despite strong interest from other counties. We are confident this group can challenge for silverware and Mickey is the right person to lead this group.”

Arthur signs new deal with Derbyshire - Derbyshire County Cricket Club

Derbyshire Head of Cricket, Mickey Arthur, has signed a new contract, keeping him with the Club until the end of the 2028 season.

derbyshireccc.com