"I've got no doubt that Sarfaraz Ahmed will deliver for us" : Mickey Arthur

[Abdullah719]

Mickey Arthur at a press conference after Day 2 against England at Headingley:

"I think there's been enough in the pitch all game, really. If you hit the right areas, there's been enough on offer"

"The toss was the correct decision, batting was the way to go. If we had seen through the first session and a half, batting became a lot easier. We probably paid the price for a substandard first-innings score"

"Things would have been different if we held onto Buttler's catch. We wanted to limit them to a lead of 120, if we did that then we could get 300 then game on with them chasing 180, so we needed to hang on to every chance"

"We didn't get enough runs in the first innings, that's the key. I thought we bowled well as a unit, we fielded okay apart from Hasan's dropped catch"

"If you win the toss and bat, you've got to get to 280-300 to put the opposition under pressure"

"Haris has got some starts and has shown a lot of potential. He's fairly youngish in terms of Test cricket and needs to convert those starts. But he's starting to feel comfortable at #3 and I think that all goes well for us in future because he just needs to convert one start and then he'll get better and better. It is a bit disconcerting that he hasn't converted yet but I've got full faith that he will down the line"

"We need to go back to what we did at Lord's, we showed a lot of patience and discipline. We committed to attack and to defence, we didn't do that here and went away from that in the first innings. On wickets like this, it's the discipline, intent and technique (that matters). We want them to defend, attack or leave with intent but the decisions need to be clearer, we were a bit indecisive"

"We're certainly not going to bed tonight thinking that we're totally out of the game. What we need to do is to wrap (the innings) up pretty quick and then really bat well. There is a little bit in there with the new ball which will be there in the whole game"

"England is very much a new ball venue. You've got 40 overs when you bowl to make sure the new ball works well and you've gotta get through 40 overs when you bat. If you do that, the next 40 overs become easier. We didn't do that well enough here"

"Abbas wasn't underbowled, everyone bowled a similar number of overs. That's the luxury of having five bowlers. I thought Hasan was the one who was a bit off today but if you've got 5 bowlers, you can always carry one"

"The good thing is that Shadab is getting better and better, I thought the way he bowled today was outstanding and he's certainly going to be a superstar in future. There hasn't been much on offer, there isn't much (for spinners) in England, for a young bowler to come and do the job he's done is brilliant, very very good and very impressive"

"We can talk about the batting order down the line. I think we've got the balance of the team right. Whether that's Shadab at 6, Sarfaraz at 7 and Faheem at 8 or however it pans out, the balance of our batting is spot on. I'm very comfortable that Sarfaraz will deliver for us, I've got no doubt that he will deliver"

"Our next Test cricket is in UAE, we can play two spinners, we can play three pacers with Faheem coming in as the third quick, we've got a really nice balance developing"

 

[aloo paratha]

We need to bad big, that's the only way we can come back into this game. One of azhar, Haris or shafiq has to go on to get a 100 and the rest need to bat around them.

We have the advantage of bowling last on this wicket.

 

[nitrous]

We need to bad big, that's the only way we can come back into this game. One of azhar, Haris or shafiq has to go on to get a 100 and the rest need to bat around them.

We have the advantage of bowling last on this wicket.

Forget about Shafiq making a big score. Proven failure in pressure innings.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Left the door open for Shadab at 6

 

[babajee]

Big responsibility on Azhar. Time for him to step up.

 

[Syed1]

First we need to dismiss England very early tomorrow

 

[Square Drive]

Need 350+ at all costs.

 

[silent ischemia]

Sarfraz will turn it around but in UAE.

 

[shokz1408]

Forget about Shafiq making a big score. Proven failure in pressure innings.

I still remember that innings v Australia where he almost helped us chase down 400+. He and a few other batsmen will need to stand up tomorrow. I hope that they do, and it's not an expected under 250 score..

 

[KingKhanWC]

First we need to dismiss England very early tomorrow

Pakistan shouldn't even be thinking about batting before this is a done deal. The first session will be key, massive for Pakistan and England. If Pakistan can do what they did at Lords one morning and finish them off in 20 odd mins, the momentum will help them with their confidence going into bat second innings. If England survive the whole session and add another 80 runs, the pressure of a big lead will be too much and the match will probably end the same day.

 

[silent ischemia]

The game is over. The only thing is to see if we lose by an innings or not

 

[Sadevdesai]

One way to light a fire under Sarfaraz !!!!!!!!

 

[Hasan123]

Well he needs to deliver soon because we have been waiting for a while.

 

[PakLFC]

Had Hasan taken that catch we could have restricted England's lead to under a 100. As it stand we are looking at at least being 150 behind.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

The good thing is that he is thinking about moving Shadab to 6 which means that it will allow Shadab more time on the crease and a better chance of scoring a debut ton.

The good thing for Sarfraz at 7/8 will be that he will be allowed to hit out when batting with tailenders and expectations will be lower. It might work out for Pak.

 

[MeanAndGreen]

Glad hes going hard on Haris. Im a big fan of the guy but his wicket was where the match shifted in my opinion. You cant have a No.3 who consistently gets 30s and gets out - thats worse than being out of form and being unable to buy a run.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Had Hasan taken that catch we could have restricted England's lead to under a 100. As it stand we are looking at at least being 150 behind.

Pak's fielding been brilliant but they just had to drop that one catch of a destructive bat who can turn the game around in a few sessions.

Why o why?

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Glad hes going hard on Haris. Im a big fan of the guy but his wicket was where the match shifted in my opinion. You cant have a No.3 who consistently gets 30s and gets out - thats worse than being out of form and being unable to buy a run.

That's very true. The worse part being that Haris has had this issue since his debut. Even in ODI's he has given away his wicket after 70/80 balls on the crease instead of going on and winning the game for Pak.

 

[MeanAndGreen]

What Pakistan needs to try and do from heron is put England under any sort of pressure. They are 1-0 down in the series; wrap it up early tomorrow, get around 350-400 in 2nd innings and leave England around 150-200 to chase.

Ive been impressed with PAKs fielding throughout the series but why on Earth was Hasan fielding at short midwicket yesterday. Could cost us the game unfortunately.

 

[The_Odd_One]

A little disappointed with Hassan's recent performances. He does not look like same bowler. It seems like both Mickey and Sarfraz are not big fans of him either.

 

[PakLFC]

Pak's fielding been brilliant but they just had to drop that one catch of a destructive bat who can turn the game around in a few sessions.

Why o why?

One dropped catch is all that takes to change a Test match.

 

[aloo paratha]

Pak's fielding been brilliant but they just had to drop that one catch of a destructive bat who can turn the game around in a few sessions.

Why o why?

Didn't see it properly, you could tell in the replay he stuck his hands out instinctively.

 

[Mamoon]

Can't bat, can't keep, can't talk, can't lead and doesn't look the part either.

A walking embarrassment, and living proof of how much Pakistan cricket has declined. From having leaders like Imran and Wasim to this.

 

[Loralai]

Can't bat, can't keep, can't talk, can't lead and doesn't look the part either.

A walking embarrassment, and living proof of how much Pakistan cricket has declined. From having leaders like Imran and Wasim to this.

Every word of this is true. I hope it is the last time we see him leading Pakistan.

 

[mkyawar]

Every word of this is true. I hope it is the last time we see him leading Pakistan.

and whos going to lead? azhar, asad, babar, or imam ?

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

He doesn't score runs.

He isn't the best keeper.

He plays down the order so he can be untouchable from blame.

He has poor tactics.

I honestly don't know what the point of Sarfraz is right now.

He came in as a player who had to tooth and claw by putting up runs and carrying the load, and now he just sits in the background trying to protect his position.

I'm appalled he has gone down the selfish route. Obviously he will say the right things, but the actions are all there.

Why bat so low? Why is he overweight and have such fitness issues? Why does his keeping not seem to improve?

We won the first match because our bowling talent will seemingly never die, but our captain? Appalling.

Azhar has had a history of doing really well with the bat, and even though I think he is under the hot seat, at least he has been a 50+ batsmen for 4 years prior to this one (and by no means do I believe he should be kept on the team vehemently, more so that he has a history of putting up runs and this spurt should be monitored very closely to see how he comes through, because since Misbah and YK left, his average has dropped and he hasn't been a 50+ batsmen).

Asad though similar to Sarfraz should be kicked out of the team for good. 3 seasons of less than a 40 average, last year since Mishbah and YK left a 26 average. Yes he has his magic spot of number 6 where he has a lovely 41 average, but he looks like he since the seniors departure just isn't ready without some cushion around him.

Our three senior batsmen, one being our captain, are the most disappointing leaders in all nations. When they have moved up 3 pegs in the pecking order, their quality has fallen 10 pegs.

 

[Mamoon]

Every word of this is true. I hope it is the last time we see him leading Pakistan.

Nothing is going to happen though. Sarfraz has too much goodwill in Pakistan cricket at the moment. Champions Trophy win including record thrashing of India, emergency of new players, improved fitness and fielding standards, number one T20 ranking etc.

He will be in trouble if the World Cup proves to be disastrous and he continues to fail, but for now, he doesn't have to perform to be in the team and there is no accountability.

 

[Loralai]

Nothing is going to happen though. Sarfraz has too much goodwill in Pakistan cricket at the moment. Champions Trophy win including record thrashing of India, emergency of new players, improved fitness and fielding standards, number one T20 ranking etc.

He will be in trouble if the World Cup proves to be disastrous and he continues to fail, but for now, he doesn't have to perform to be in the team and there is no accountability.

Agreed. He is living off the Champions Trophy (which was great but we all know that we were not the strongest team at that tournament) but his own performance in that series was not notable and his performances since have been embarrassing. Even Mohammad Abbas looks more comfortable at the crease.

 

[Loralai]

He doesn't score runs.

He isn't the best keeper.

He plays down the order so he can be untouchable from blame.

He has poor tactics.

I honestly don't know what the point of Sarfraz is right now.

He came in as a player who had to tooth and claw by putting up runs and carrying the load, and now he just sits in the background trying to protect his position.

I'm appalled he has gone down the selfish route. Obviously he will say the right things, but the actions are all there.

Why bat so low? Why is he overweight and have such fitness issues? Why does his keeping not seem to improve?

We won the first match because our bowling talent will seemingly never die, but our captain? Appalling.

Azhar has had a history of doing really well with the bat, and even though I think he is under the hot seat, at least he has been a 50+ batsmen for 4 years prior to this one (and by no means do I believe he should be kept on the team vehemently, more so that he has a history of putting up runs and this spurt should be monitored very closely to see how he comes through, because since Misbah and YK left, his average has dropped and he hasn't been a 50+ batsmen).

Asad though similar to Sarfraz should be kicked out of the team for good. 3 seasons of less than a 40 average, last year since Mishbah and YK left a 26 average. Yes he has his magic spot of number 6 where he has a lovely 41 average, but he looks like he since the seniors departure just isn't ready without some cushion around him.

Our three senior batsmen, one being our captain, are the most disappointing leaders in all nations. When they have moved up 3 pegs in the pecking order, their quality has fallen 10 pegs.

What I can't understand is why we keep picking only one keeper for tours like this? Sarfraz is so insecure that he plays all three formats and even warm up games. Is he concerned that if we had a second keeper, he would be exposed? For away tours like this, a second keeper should be a formality, just in case of injury? It is embarrassing we had to rely on Leicestershire to provide an academy player to keep for us so Sarfraz could rest. I would much rather a younger keeper like Mohammad Rizwan or Mohammad Hasan was with the squad, just to provide backup and also to gain experience.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

What I can't understand is why we keep picking only one keeper for tours like this? Sarfraz is so insecure that he plays all three formats and even warm up games. Is he concerned that if we had a second keeper, he would be exposed? For away tours like this, a second keeper should be a formality, just in case of injury? It is embarrassing we had to rely on Leicestershire to provide an academy player to keep for us so Sarfraz could rest. I would much rather a younger keeper like Mohammad Rizwan or Mohammad Hasan was with the squad, just to provide backup and also to gain experience.

I think the CT has made brass very happy and given he was the figurehead, he will live off of that for a while.

Management tends to stick by players who have had past success and think they will eventually come good. I understand the notion that you don't want to remove job security so as to relieve pressure, but if you're not performing even with no pressure of losing your position then what?

Every industry is a pressure industry. If you don't perform, deflect all blame and workload on others, and are in a position of authority while doing so, you will be replaced unless you improve. Sarfraz is doing none of this. I was a staunch supporter of his and honestly which he would come good, but I'm a fan of Pakistan first and foremost and my affinity always has and always will only lie with their success.

This goes for any player, whether it be the guys I'm a fan of: Hasan Ali, Babar Azam, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Amir, Faqar, Harris Sohail.

If these guys don't perform consistently and are not improving, they must be replaced. Obviously not a knee-jerk reaction that after every failure you drop them, but a longitudinal performance review.

It's been a very mediocre showing from our seniors since they have been put as our top 3 in terms of who we rely on moving forward for batting. This isn't a few matches, this has been a while.

Those who say, but if we replace them, we will be left with no batting or a bunch of kids, why does it matter if they're young or seniors. Performance is performance. There was once a Pakistani cricket team when they first started which were all brand new too.

Scoring runs has no affinity to being 19 or 35. The fact that with age our players who should be in their prime look like their worst just shows me they need to go. You have a peak and maintain it, if your curve valleys when it should be at its best, then you need to go.

 

[nitrous]

Posters on here need to understand, players like Asad and Sarfraz will never win you a test match going forward.

Asad has been the worst investment Pakistan ever made, he keeps getting picked because of his life saving innings which eirher didn’t help Pakistan cause or he made a cute 50 or so in a dead rubber match.

Then we have the wk, who has fitness issues and is living on the CT win, can’t hold a bat for more than 15 minutes to save his life. His form has gone downhill a lot and doesn’t seem to be the player he was in the past.

Azhar is another one that is just outright rubbish. He isn’t consistent at all and when he look to be going good, he kills all the momentum in the match by playing a 100 ball for 20 runs or so.

The quicker the people realize this, the better it would be.

We need to move on, maybe persist with Azhar for few more series, but Asad has to be dropped for good.

Sarfu need to be put on notice too, take more responsibility and improve, or get dropped.