Mickey Arthur unhappy with 'seniors'..... home truths stated [PCB refute reports - post #152]

[Saj]

Heated words from the Pakistan Head Coach after close of play on Day 2 at Centurion.

The full force of those heated words were directed towards Sarfaraz Ahmed, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq after their pathetic efforts against South Africa in the 1st Test.

 

[asadee]

Will this lead to any much delayed firing or is it just lip service?

 

[octavian]

Well-deserved verbal phainta for Sarfraz and Asad. Azhar can be excused somewhat as he was our best batsman against New Zealand.

Sarfraz and Asad have been utterly abysmal for a while.

 

[AAli98]

Sarfraz azhar asad are damaged beyond repair send them home now.
Imam & shan look like getting out at any ball.

Reality is pak are a rubbish team what should have been a easy 3-0 win against NZ turned out to be a embarrassing 2-1 loss thanks to waste of space sarfraz!

 

[Ummii]

So it means this is Mickey's last series? He was pretty great coach btw. I hope Bangladesh can hire him, he can take them to the next level, they really need to be improved as a T20 team.

 

[Savak]

Not surprised at all. I had heard rumours that he was extremely unhappy with Sarfaraz and had been lobbying with the PCB to remove him as captain and to review his position in the team. That UAE blip where he admitted he was shocked Sarfaraz started with Wahab should have been clue enough.

I am happy that he is not going to tolerate any crap from the seniors like Azhar, Asad and Sarfaraz. He needs to give them the Wahab treatment, perform or perish, simple

 

[DRsohail]

I hope it is Asad and Sarfaraz last match.

 

[Markhor]

Hope Mickey's eyes have opened now regarding these three.

Shafiq's chronic unreliability and Sarfraz's limitations are well known to everyone. Azhar is a trier but as a senior batsman his record since the retirements of Younis and Misbah is mediocre.

Mickey needs to kick out Shafiq and Sarfraz. Even Imam and Shan who I've criticised a lot turned up today so these sainted seniors have no excuse.

 

[octavian]

Looks like Mickey has had it Sarfraz. I think PCB will have to pick either Mickey or Sarfraz at the end of this series.

I hope its Mickey.

 

[Rayyman]

Looks like they will be dropped and: Imam, Shan, Babar, Haris, Fakhar, Rizwan+, Shadab will be the Top 7 next match.

 

[Pete Rose]

Shafiq definitely needs a break. Looks like he is mentally not up to this battle. Azhar can be excused. Sarfaraz is fait accompali dead man waking

 

[Hawkeye]

Nothing is going to change.

Sarfraz and Shafiq will NOT be dropped. Absolutely not in this series, and not the one after it either.

Mark this post.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Time to drop shafiq and sarfraz. Azhar only plays if he opens. We are a mediocre test side so its better we bring in new players and build from bottom. Inzi didnt help situation bt announcing test squad for SA mid gsme in 3rd test vs new zealand. To many senior players sarfraz, shafiq, azhar, malik, hafeez have had free ride in test and odi teams with mediocre results time to move on from this rubbish in all formats.

 

[a_tahir]

Sarfraz azhar asad are damaged beyond repair send them home now.
Imam & shan look like getting out at any ball.

Reality is pak are a rubbish team what should have been a easy 3-0 win against NZ turned out to be a embarrassing 2-1 loss thanks to waste of space sarfraz!

Shan was really good tbh
Looked the most comfortable against Olivier

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Looks like [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION] is on the same page with Mickey except for F Alam where i side with Mickey

Look out for his latest thread here on PP.


Markhor bhaee aapki joarhee jammay gee with Mickey Arthur as an Analyst or Assistant Coach (if u get level 2)

 

[AFM]

Heated words from the Pakistan Head Coach after close of play on Day 2 at Centurion.

The full force of those heated words were directed towards Sarfaraz Ahmed, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq after their pathetic efforts against South Africa in the 1st Test.

What did he say exactly?

 

[Dark_Horse]

Last time when mickey gave some useful lecture to kk the bowlers performance flipped 180 but here batsman are in contention

 

[Pete Rose]

What did he say exactly?

Something along the lines of rubbish under pressure, I assume

 

[Loralai]

Sarfraz has always been an awful player and it is a mark of our decline that we even considered making a club level player like him captain. His career should be over now. Lets hope the Asad nightmare is also over.

 

[Dark_Horse]

If every one of them has scored 15-20 runs the target would have been 200

 

[AAli98]

Shan was really good tbh
Looked the most comfortable against Olivier

Wait till next test when SA have done there homework on him this time, limited player like him will be a sitting duck.

 

[Pete Rose]

My theory is that bechara Azhar Ali got spanked in interest of fairness so it wouldn’t seem like Mickey is targeting Asad and Sarfaraz

 

[Fahdi]

Shafiq needs to be demoted to 12th man immediately. Sarfraz needs to go after the series

 

[Pete Rose]

Wait till next test when SA have done there homework on him this time, limited player like him will be a sitting duck.

So what are you views in South Africa’s batting

 

[Markhor]

Looks like [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION] is on the same page with Mickey except for F Alam where i side with Mickey

Look out for his latest thread here on PP.


Markhor bhaee aapki joarhee jammay gee with Mickey Arthur as an Analyst or Assistant Coach (if u get level 2)

[MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION] I only bring up Fawad Alam's name because I want merit to be respected.

You cannot have a batsman averaging 56 and with 31 FC centuries rotting on the bench.

He may have limitations outside Asia but I would make him Asia Series specialist. I refuse to believe we'd have lost against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi and against New Zealand in the 1st Test with him batting at 5 instead of Asad Shafiq.

 

[Amjid Javed]

The lack of batting options selected by inzi means that any changes are unlikely.

 

[emranabbas]

Bring in Rizwan
Sack sarfraz
Sack Asad
Make Azhar captain

 

[ManFan]

Bring in Rizwan
Sack sarfraz
Sack Asad
Make Azhar captain

Make Azhar captain?

Have we not learned anything?

 

[Bouncer]

Heated words from the Pakistan Head Coach after close of play on Day 2 at Centurion.

The full force of those heated words were directed towards Sarfaraz Ahmed, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq after their pathetic efforts against South Africa in the 1st Test.

Little after the game I saw tweet from a large City cricket journalist (who in late 90's and early 2000 used to be Urdu news caster on PTV ) raising the question that Micky should be sacked. I knew something this was either a preemptive move against Micky or a result of what discussion took place in dressing room right after the game that got strategical ly leaked to the (self proclaimed) cricket journalist from one of the seniors.

Just like it used to happen in past ( September 2007 onwards)

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Bring in Rizwan
Sack sarfraz
Sack Asad
Make Azhar captain

If you suggest Azhar for captaincy again, I will sack you.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Hope Mickey's eyes have opened now regarding these three.

Shafiq's chronic unreliability and Sarfraz's limitations are well known to everyone. Azhar is a trier but as a senior batsman his record since the retirements of Younis and Misbah is mediocre.

Mickey needs to kick out Shafiq and Sarfraz. Even Imam and Shan who I've criticised a lot turned up today so these sainted seniors have no excuse.

Azhar has been fine. No need to bring him into this.

 

[topspin]

Time to drop shafiq and sarfraz. Azhar only plays if he opens. We are a mediocre test side so its better we bring in new players and build from bottom. Inzi didnt help situation bt announcing test squad for SA mid gsme in 3rd test vs new zealand. To many senior players sarfraz, shafiq, azhar, malik, hafeez have had free ride in test and odi teams with mediocre results time to move on from this rubbish in all formats.

Spot on here. Azhar should be opening but yet nearly all the PP experts with their named XIs want him batting at 3 despite the fact he averages more as an opener. Not to forget he has scored a triple and a double ton in that position.

 

[Pete Rose]

Little after the game I saw tweet from a large City cricket journalist (who in late 90's and early 2000 used to be Urdu news caster on PTV ) raising the question that Micky should be sacked. I knew something this was either a preemptive move against Micky or a result of what discussion took place in dressing room right after the game that got strategical ly leaked to the (self proclaimed) cricket journalist from one of the seniors.

Just like it used to happen in past ( September 2007 onwards)

It’s the Karachi guys in the dressing leaking to the Karachi press. Was a constant fixture during afridis time. It’s not just a Karachi thing, but if you are an underperforming cricketer a certain newsperson is always your best friend

 

[Dark_Horse]

Apparently miandad is still defending sarfaraz and co on a news channel asking how much test cricket mickeywhas played he knows no pressure of game etc. I don”t know you were well set for a game win in sa so your strategy was good batting after winning toss, bowlers bowled good etc still mickeys fault and no fault by sarfaraz and co

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Apparently miandad is still defending sarfaraz and co on a news channel asking how much test cricket mickeywhas played he knows no pressure of game etc. I don”t know you were well set for a game win in sa so your strategy was good batting after winning toss, bowlers bowled good etc still mickeys fault and no fault by sarfaraz and co

We'd be losing by an innings if it wasn't for Mickey's preparation. Miandad cannot analyze if his life depended on it.

 

[Savak]

Azhar has been fine. No need to bring him into this.

Fine? He has been averaging 25 since the retirement of Younis and Misbah. Shafiq gets more criticized but he is averaging 35 since the retirement of Younis and Misbah. If anything, Azhar Ali is a liability in the team now and that is not to say Asad Shafiq isn't behaving like a liability either but atleast he doesn't waste 100 deliveries to get 15-20 runs atleast.

 

[Suleiman]

Might get sacked for this sadly, Nobody talks bad about Pak seniors and gets away with it in our warped culture.

Sarfraz can’t bat to save his life.

Azhar has gotten old, will be 35 soon, his strength was longevity and that is fast leaving him.

Asad is mentally a 12 year old. Overrated technique. You can count how often this guy gets lbw or caught playing away from his body.

Cut the cord on these three and let’s move into the next generation. These guys are the last of the Misbah era.

 

[Dark_Horse]

Fine? He has been averaging 25 since the retirement of Younis and Misbah. Shafiq gets more criticized but he is averaging 35 since the retirement of Younis and Misbah. If anything, Azhar Ali is a liability in the team now and that is not to say Asad Shafiq isn't behaving like a liability either but atleast he doesn't waste 100 deliveries to get 15-20 runs atleast.

Misquoting azhar is averaging 32.28 since than and shafiq 35 so not much of a difference taking there playing position into contention

 

[Abdullah719]

Fine? He has been averaging 25 since the retirement of Younis and Misbah. Shafiq gets more criticized but he is averaging 35 since the retirement of Younis and Misbah. If anything, Azhar Ali is a liability in the team now and that is not to say Asad Shafiq isn't behaving like a liability either but atleast he doesn't waste 100 deliveries to get 15-20 runs atleast.

Azhar 32, Shafiq 35.

 

[Abdullah719]

Might get sacked for this sadly, Nobody talks bad about Pak seniors and gets away with it in our warped culture.

I think we are hopefully beyond those days. The cricketing culture now is a lot more professional than it was 10 years ago.

 

[Dark_Horse]

I feel azhar is going to retire after this series if he performs not well in remaing tests he is the only guy who accept the fault

 

[Savak]

These two players should thank their stars that they played under Misbah and were able to milk as much as possible out of it. Had they been playing under Kohli, both would have been shown the door very quickly especially Azhar for his boring uninspiring batting.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Fine? He has been averaging 25 since the retirement of Younis and Misbah. Shafiq gets more criticized but he is averaging 35 since the retirement of Younis and Misbah. If anything, Azhar Ali is a liability in the team now and that is not to say Asad Shafiq isn't behaving like a liability either but atleast he doesn't waste 100 deliveries to get 15-20 runs atleast.

Azhar went through a very small lean patch after a great year but came surging back against NZ. He's averaging 44 which is very good for an opener.

 

[Savak]

Azhar Ali is also carrying a serious knee problem, apparently a degenerative knee problem and the doctors had already told him that he won't be able to play very long. This is why he gave up the T-20 and ODI format to prolong his test career. You can just see it in the field that he is struggling, cannot run fast anymore and I think his footwork is also negatively affected.

 

[Dark_Horse]

Azhar Ali is also carrying a serious knee problem, apparently a degenerative knee problem and the doctors had already told him that he won't be able to play very long. This is why he gave up the T-20 and ODI format to prolong his test career. You can just see it in the field that he is struggling, cannot run fast anymore and I think his footwork is also negatively affected.

Then how he was playing well in first innings

 

[in_cutter]

Why is Mickey surprised? Looking back at history, our seniors have always flopped majorly in these conditions- including the current chief selector.

I hope he gave them a good old rollicking.

 

[gazza619]

There was something in Sarfaraz’s body language today in the field which showed all is not well in the dressing room

 

[Savak]

There is no way Mickey will lose his job over the likes of Azhar, Shafiq and Sarfaraz. These players do not have the influence and reputation of the players of the 90's.

 

[Khan12]

If sarfraz has any shame left he should retire after this game as well as shafiq.

 

[warcry]

we can only hope pcb stands with mickey arthur on this one.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistans next tests arent until late next year vs SL and then Aus. So even after a shambles here am sure most TTFs will be retained. Sadly senior culture in team and with cheif selector is root problem here.

 

[Abdullah]

The lack of batting options selected by inzi means that any changes are unlikely.

What are u talking about, Rizwan and Harris are 2 options to come in and we could also see an allrounder in there.
Plenty of options

 

[iPakistani]

There was something in Sarfaraz’s body language today in the field which showed all is not well in the dressing room

I noticed this too, when our bowlers were bowling he wasn’t praising them or shouting like usual he had such negative body language (head down after each ball etc). Kohli isn’t the best captain for an example but the way he shouts and motivates his bowlers gets everyone around him pumped. Sarfraz looks tired and defeated. When things aren’t going your way you look towards your captain or more experienced players to see how they’re reacting and if they’re showing positivity it can rub off on the players.

 

[nitrous]

Surely Pakistan can drop sarfraz and replace him with Rizwan. Atleast rizwan will most likely outscore him in this series and isn’t a dud with the gloves.

When your tail Enders are scoring more than your primary batsman, you know something is wrong.

Maybe Pakistan should look to reverse the order of batting, opening with tail Enders.

 

[iPakistani]

It’s as simple as this,

Tests:

We’re 7th in the rankings and can’t hold our batting together to make high scores. We have players who are being constantly picked for no reason e.g Imam, Shafiq. Azhar and Sarfraz.

What the PCB needs to do is remove Inzamam from chief selector first of all and then have a clearing and remove these players and start with a clean slate with young players. We have nothing to lose we’re already 7th.

ODI’s:

We haven’t improved much at all since the CT17 win infact we’ve declined however the NZ series showed promise and I think everything should be kept the same with Haris in the middle order.

T20Is:

Our best format, everything can be kept the same with Sarfraz captaining both the ODI and T20 side until atleast the World Cup.

 

[Hasan123]

It’s no surprise that he is unhappy with them but action needs to be taken. It will show the younger players if you aren’t performing you will be dropped.

 

[Markhor]

Mickey doesn't need this headache. He could easily take over Trevor Bayliss in the England job when he leaves after the Ashes.

We won't be able to attract a similar calibre of coach. Not saying Mickey hasn't made mistakes but he is doing the best anyone can given he's practically playing with 9 men.

 

[Saj]

Little after the game I saw tweet from a large City cricket journalist (who in late 90's and early 2000 used to be Urdu news caster on PTV ) raising the question that Micky should be sacked. I knew something this was either a preemptive move against Micky or a result of what discussion took place in dressing room right after the game that got strategical ly leaked to the (self proclaimed) cricket journalist from one of the seniors.

Just like it used to happen in past ( September 2007 onwards)

A few in the media are worried.....their boy is in trouble.

So better help him by attacking the coach.

 

[Amjid Javed]

What are u talking about, Rizwan and Harris are 2 options to come in and we could also see an allrounder in there.
Plenty of options

Sarfraz wont get dropped. All that will happen is fakhar dropped for sohail. Inzi should have picked more middle order options for this tour but failing middle order players are protected. All failing seniors need the boot.

 

[IMMY69]

Mickey doesn't need this headache. He could easily take over Trevor Bayliss in the England job when he leaves after the Ashes.

We won't be able to attract a similar calibre of coach. Not saying Mickey hasn't made mistakes but he is doing the best anyone can given he's practically playing with 9 men.

On another thread I said we’re playing with 3.5 batsmen... imagine if we had some mentally strong players
and a captain who leads from the front??

Anyway, I should prepare myself for the immenant departure ��

 

[Abdullah]

[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] what exactly was said and in what forum?

 

[Abdullah]

Sarfraz wont get dropped. All that will happen is fakhar dropped for sohail. Inzi should have picked more middle order options for this tour but failing middle order players are protected. All failing seniors need the boot.

I think people are just want to get after inzi,
It could be said after today that what a shout it was to bring in Masood. He hasn't looked like getting out all game and looks a man transformed.
But no let's not give any credit to selectors for that

 

[IMMY69]

We need a threadcto discuss potential test captaincy candidates...

 

[ManFan]

It’s no surprise that he is unhappy with them but action needs to be taken. It will show the younger players if you aren’t performing you will be dropped.

He’s deadlocked because if he takes aggressive action and tries to change things too fast, he will be dropped like in Australia 2012.

When he got the job in 2016, he played quiet and let Misbah and Younis retire beyond their expiration date so as not to ruffle any feathers.

Unfortunately, their replacements have been below-par but have very powerful friends in various media outlets that can venture Arthur’s resignation through public pressure.

Mickey has to play this situation very carefully because he is a man of emotion who wants change. However, he has realized the hard way as Idries Shah stated, change must come slowly, otherwise it can overwhelm.

 

[Saj]

[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] what exactly was said and in what forum?

Not right to disclose, other than the 3 senior players were reminded of their responsibilities and told clearly some home truths.

 

[asadee]

Not right to disclose, other than the 3 senior players were reminded of their responsibilities and told clearly some home truths.

Will there be any consequences or is it just him giving them a beating?

 

[Abdullah]

Not right to disclose, other than the 3 senior players were reminded of their responsibilities and told clearly some home truths.

Oh ok. Thought it was in a presser or interview with broadcasters.
It's about time. I guess Mickey would have loved to have beaten SA and we had them there for the taking

 

[Hasan123]

He’s deadlocked because if he takes aggressive action and tries to change things too fast, he will be dropped like in Australia 2012.

When he got the job in 2016, he played quiet and let Misbah and Younis retire beyond their expiration date so as not to ruffle any feathers.

Unfortunately, their replacements have been below-par but have very powerful friends in various media outlets that can venture Arthur’s resignation through public pressure.

Mickey has to play this situation very carefully because he is a man of emotion who wants change. However, he has realized the hard way as Idries Shah stated, change must come slowly, otherwise it can overwhelm.

Changes need to be made. I understand why he didn’t do much when Misbah and Younis were around , but changes need to be made. Doing nothing will just result in more average performances like we have seen.

Mickey will get another job if he is sacked, so he needs to show he is here for results for Pakistan.

 

[Abdullah]

@saj
On a side note is there anything we can do to get a voice with the PCB to inform that majority of fans are happy with Mickey and what he is trying to achieve and needs full backing ( despite what u hear some "pundits" say) maybe through urself or official fans forum.
Because u know how these things normally end for a foreign coach.

 

[Amjid Javed]

I think people are just want to get after inzi,
It could be said after today that what a shout it was to bring in Masood. He hasn't looked like getting out all game and looks a man transformed.
But no let's not give any credit to selectors for that

Middle of a 3rd test vs new zealand where we are struggling and inzi names the squad for SA. Why not wait till series ends a matter of one or two days. The likes of sarfraz and few others should have got the chop then snd shouldnt even be in SA. Yes inzis made one or two good selections and loads of rubbish and un-timely ones. Time to move on from failed seniors.

 

[Saj]

@saj
On a side note is there anything we can do to get a voice with the PCB to inform that majority of fans are happy with Mickey and what he is trying to achieve and needs full backing ( despite what u hear some "pundits" say) maybe through urself or official fans forum.
Because u know how these things normally end for a foreign coach.

Well it's worth reading what Wasim Khan said about Mickey:

PakPassion.net: What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing Pakistan cricket at the moment?

Wasim Khan: Purely from a playing perspective, there is a level of inconsistency when playing away from UAE, but I don't think Pakistan are alone in that and I think various countries face issues when they play abroad in alien conditions. However, being consistent on the field is something that we want Pakistan to be and we would also like them to climb up that ladder of the ICC Test rankings. We are right up there in terms of Twenty20 cricket rankings, but we want to be the leaders in all three formats and that has to be an aim. That is going to take a lot of work but there are great leaders and there's a great management team headed up under Mickey Arthur who I think is doing a brilliant job under some challenging circumstances. In terms of off-the-field areas, we need to ensure that we professionalise the PCB as much as possible. As I have said before, the priorities will be about getting systems and processes right, getting the people to do the right things and getting people focused, improving our communications and making sure we are on top of things like that. In general, the idea will be to look at how we can improve 20-30% in terms of how we operate and how we do things at the PCB.

 

[Bouncer]

A few in the media are worried.....their boy is in trouble.

So better help him by attacking the coach.

I doubt anyone who had followed Pak cricket closely will think MA has a chance to survive here. He might survive the battle but wouldn't survive the war.

They are a pack of hyenas , they Target someone, even as strong a target as lion, they get him by bleeding him slowly but regularly over a prolonged period of time.

07 saw a consistent effort media campaign against young captain architected by but city senior who had openly said he wanted to be next captain in 06. These vultures were used to paint the small guy captain and young ambitious foreign coach in most hostile colors in media.

Next captain was smart and he walked out after winning the T20 WC because he knew exactly how he was started to be the next Target l, remember those news about how he was mistreating team in the busride to the games in early 09WC games. He knew how these vultures work, he knew who the major architecter was too - so he walked out.

 

[Saj]

I doubt anyone who had followed Pak cricket closely will think MA has a chance to survive here. He might survive the battle but wouldn't survive the war.

They are a pack of hyenas , they Target someone, even as strong a target as lion, they get him by bleeding him slowly but regularly over a prolonged period of time.

07 saw a consistent effort media campaign against young captain architected by but city senior who had openly said he wanted to be next captain in 06. These vultures were used to paint the small guy captain and young ambitious foreign coach in most hostile colors in media.

Next captain was smart and he walked out after winning the T20 WC because he knew exactly how he was started to be the next Target l, remember those news about how he was mistreating team in the busride to the games in early 09WC games. He knew how these vultures work, he knew who the major architecter was too - so he walked out.

Fair points and as long as some players keep leaking stuff to their local media, they will be happy and support them.

But this is where Ehsan Mani and Wasim Khan need to show what they are made of.

 

[Boi]

No point of these words if Asad atleast isn’t dropped from the next game.

 

[BaankeJi]

What if Pakistan wins this test?

 

[Ami]

Bunch of losers...the lot of em.
We need men from BCCI to run PCB...

 

[Pete Rose]

Fair points and as long as some players keep leaking stuff to their local media, they will be happy and support them.

But this is where Ehsan Mani and Wasim Khan need to show what they are made of.

In Pakistan cricket usually the players afflicted are the ones who leak

 

[Pete Rose]

What if Pakistan wins this test?

It won’t be because of shafiq, Azhar, and Sarfaraz

 

[a_tahir]

What if Pakistan wins this test?

Firstly, highly unlikely they are going to win. It has been over 100 years since SA failed to achieve a target under 150.
Secondly, even if they win it will be due to the bowlers not the batsmen.
So the batting problem will still stand.

 

[hadi123]

I was watching the news on a well known Pakistani news channel - you all would have heard of it

It was saying basically that Mickey Arthur was so angry he started throwing things around and swore in English to them.