"My worry is that we are not finding many young batsmen" : Mickey Arthur

[Abdullah719]

Mickey Arthur at a press conference today:

"We are really excited about the game ahead in Karachi, and the buzz around Karachi when we arrived today has been amazing"

"To come down and train in such good facilities has been very special as well"

"Very excited to see some new faces in the Pakistan cricket team as well"

"To see the young guys go about their business has been really good"

"They bring an incredible fresh energy to the squad and they are incredibly talented and we are very very happy with where we are at, at the moment"

"We have a squad of 15 and its a very strong squad"

"Its a squad of players which is in strong form"

"All of them have an equal chance (of playing), I will work that out in a day or 2"

"For the young guys to play at home is very very special"

"and I know that they are very excited about the opportunity"

"I just can't wait to see the stadium full, with the green flags and Dil Dil Pakistan playing out and the boys performing"

"I think the team they (WI) are sending is a strong one and this will be a good series"

"There is a bigger picture for Rahat Ali as there is a Test series coming up and lot of cricket coming up for us"

"Ultimately, we could only select whom we have selected and I think we have done a good job, and I think we have an exciting young side"

"The door is not closed for Mohammad Hafeez and he knows it"

"If Mohammad Hafeez is bowling then he becomes a very good option for us, if he is not bowling then it becomes a problem"

"We will not pick players who do one discipline"

"We pick players who do all disciplines and fielding is one of them and its non-negotiable"

"If you don't field (well) then you don't play for Pakistan; its as simple as that"

"Mohammad Hafeez is a quality cricketer and he will definitely come into our thought process for ODIs, for sure"

"Kamran Akmal is a very good batsman and he has scored a lot of runs but he cannot field, and Sarfaraz is our wicket-keeper"

"I qualify that by saying that we gave Kamran Akmal a chance in the series against West Indies last year and he did not perform as well as he could have"

"Usman Shan Shinwari is 100% fit"

"West Indies are a proud cricketing nation and the players whom they send here have absolutely nothing to lose"

"They will be looking to forge a career for themselves in WI Cricket, so they will be very dangerous and we will have to play exceptionally well; I think it will be a great series"

"Aamer Yamin bowled 2 overs in the whole of PSL 2018 which was quite disappointing"

"I have said to Umar Amin is that his best format in cricket is ODI and Tests"

"I have said the same to Haris Sohail as I am not sure he is 100% (suited) for T20 cricket"

"Haris Sohail starts in our ODIs and Test cricket line-up now"

"When we looked at the PSL, our bowling stocks are getting better and better"

"My worry is that we are not finding many young batsmen and that is an issue certainly for me going forward"

"Asif Ali is a good finisher and its good to have Shoaib Malik back after his injury"

"Hussain Talat is a young player and he can become very good"

"We haven't seen a young stand out batsman coming through the ranks like we have incase of spin and fast-bowling stocks":

"If we can get 150 (in T20Is) then we can defend that score, that's why I say our bowling is our strongest suit"

 

[babajee]

Well you don’t just have to look at PSL to find batsmen... why can’t they hold an U25 camp or something?

Good comments though by Mickey.

 

[Asif321]

wow straight forward comments . good for pakistan
no diplomacy
No means no yes means yes

 

[AFM]

Good comments on Amin, Haris, Kami and the Professor

 

[Savak]

150 in T-20's? Is he mad? Is that your benchmark in an era of power hitting, short boundaries? Seriously needs to up his game.

 

[mmkextreme_1]

150 in T-20's? Is he mad? Is that your benchmark in an era of power hitting, short boundaries? Seriously needs to up his game.

I think he means if the team scores 150 or above it will be quite a competitive total for the WI's team with our bowling attack.

 

[Sherlock]

A little contradictory there...

"We will not pick players who do one discipline"

"We pick players who do all disciplines and fielding is one of them and its non-negotiable"

"If you don't field (well) then you don't play for Pakistan; its as simple as that"

Yet Rahat is being picked.

 

[ManFan]

Does this mean that Haris will open the batting in Tests and ODI’s?

 

[Hasan123]

Good comments from Arthur. Like the fact that he hasn't selected Amin and Harris for T20s as isn't their strongest format.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Does this mean that Haris will open the batting in Tests and ODI’s?

unfortunely i think it means this

3. Babar
4. Haris
4. Malik
6. Sarfraz

thats very poor, no balance without a hitter like talat

 

[Rayyman]

So realistically:
T20Is
Fakhar
Babar
Talat
Malik
Sarfraz*+
Asif
Imad
Faheem
Shadab
Hasan
Amir
ODIs
Fakhar
Amin
Babar
Haris
Hafeez
Sarfraz*+
Imad
Faheem
Shadab
Hasan
Amir

 

[ManFan]

From Arthur’s comments, it looks like neither Sami or Masood will open in England which is a good thing.

That leaves spot #’s 4,5,6 open for debutants and a shuffling of the order.

Question is, is he going to place Shafiq in at #4 or #6?

And is he making way for Fahim to slot in the playing XI?

 

[ManFan]

unfortunely i think it means this

3. Babar
4. Haris
4. Malik
6. Sarfraz

thats very poor, no balance without a hitter like talat

I disagree.

I think since he cannot get rid of Malik yet, he is going to make Haris open along with Fakhar.

Babar at #3 is permanent, so most likely Sarfraz comes in at #4 like he was for Quetta and Malik at #5.

That would allow Talat to come in at #6.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

From Arthur’s comments, it looks like neither Sami or Masood will open in England which is a good thing.

That leaves spot #’s 4,5,6 open for debutants and a shuffling of the order.

Question is, is he going to place Shafiq in at #4 or #6?

And is he making way for Fahim to slot in the playing XI?

How is Shan opening a good thing, let alone against England ? May as well given England a free wicket.

 

[yasir]

We have been worried about this for a very long time. This is where our domestic system fails us in a big way, and the reason of our below average ranking... Atleast he is honest about it and not sugar coating to the public

Main reason is our grounds, pitches and ball used are sub standard, not having international cricket played on them hurt the development of batsmen the most

 

[ManFan]

How is Shan opening a good thing, let alone against England ? May as well given England a free wicket.

Maybe my lack of a comma was confusing. I said neither Sami Aslam or Shan Masood will open, which is a GOOD thing.

 

[Justcrazy]

You are searching for Batsmen in 20 20 league ?

hafeez has passed his prime , the door itself is decayed now.

 

[Rayyman]

I disagree.

I think since he cannot get rid of Malik yet, he is going to make Haris open along with Fakhar.

Babar at #3 is permanent, so most likely Sarfraz comes in at #4 like he was for Quetta and Malik at #5.

That would allow Talat to come in at #6.

I hope Malik is dropped for ODIs.


This top 6 is pretty much comfirmed:
Fakhar
Amin
Babar
Haris
Hafeez
Sarfraz*+

Don't see any room for Talat tbh in ODIs. And wouldn't want him at #7 anyway. Hopefully he will be in the ODI squad that's good enough.

 

[babajee]

Talat not being in the ODI XI would be a disaster of epic proportions.

 

[Amirforpresident]

How is Shan opening a good thing, let alone against England ? May as well given England a free wicket.

Read the first line again bro.

 

[ManFan]

I hope Malik is dropped for ODIs.


This top 6 is pretty much comfirmed:
Fakhar
Amin
Babar
Haris
Hafeez
Sarfraz*+

Don't see any room for Talat tbh in ODIs. And wouldn't want him at #7 anyway. Hopefully he will be in the ODI squad that's good enough.

I don’t think Mickey is keen on Amin to open. He performed below expectations in the NZ series. Hafeez is on his last legs and Mickey has slowly been removing him and has a reasonable excuse to do so (his lack of bowling). He has dropped him altogether from the T20 side and ODI’s are next.

I agree on Malik because he looks great in the UAE and against minnows but in ENG, he fails as always. Which is a risk we cannot afford with the WC just around the corner.

 

[Markhor]

"I have said to Umar Amin is that his best format in cricket is ODI and Tests"

"I have said the same to Haris Sohail as I am not sure he is 100% (suited) for T20 cricket"

It has taken a foreign coach a few months to figure out what our OWN selectors and previous coaches failed to do for years.

Good to see a horses for courses approach being taken.

 

[Rayyman]

I don’t think Mickey is keen on Amin to open. He performed below expectations in the NZ series. Hafeez is on his last legs and Mickey has slowly been removing him and has a reasonable excuse to do so (his lack of bowling). He has dropped him altogether from the T20 side and ODI’s are next.

I agree on Malik because he looks great in the UAE and against minnows but in ENG, he fails as always. Which is a risk we cannot afford with the WC just around the corner.

Read the OP. He says that Hafeez and Amin will both be in the ODI side.

 

[ManFan]

Read the OP. He says that Hafeez and Amin will both be in the ODI side.

I never said they won’t. I just believe his hands have been tied in regards to Hafeez, who after continuous failures, is slowly but surely being pushed to the side.

As far as Amin, he has not impressed at all. If he performs, all the best for PAK.

 

[Gotham Cronie]

Well the league is basically the Pakistani TTFs / Foreign Batsmen vs Pakistani Bowlers

 

[MMHS]

It has taken a foreign coach a few months to figure out what our OWN selectors and previous coaches failed to do for years.

Good to see a horses for courses approach being taken.

Make Ul Haq report to Aurther - everyday morning roll call and afternoon summery/explanation of day's work; things will change dramatically in few days.

 

[Square Drive]

Read the OP. He says that Hafeez and Amin will both be in the ODI side.

Nah. "Come into our thought process" doesn't mean Hafeez will be in the XI, and perhaps not even in the squad until he gets his bowling back.

I think what he means is that if Hafeez gets his bowling back, he will definitely be considered. Otherwise, no. As he said, when Hafeez doesn't bowl, "there is a problem". This clearly means that he's a doubtful name in the XI and the squad.

 

[Rayyman]

Nah. "Come into our thought process" doesn't mean Hafeez will be in the XI, and perhaps not even in the squad until he gets his bowling back.

I think what he means is that if Hafeez gets his bowling back, he will definitely be considered. Otherwise, no. As he said, when Hafeez doesn't bowl, "there is a problem". This clearly means that he's a doubtful name in the XI and the squad.

And how are you dealing with the oust of your fav. player?

 

[MMHS]

Why a professional veteran like him is even trying to find new batting talent in T20 games. In total, I have seen 2 new faces - Farhan played few games and in later stages didn't do worse than some of the PAK regulars (some still in latest squad); while Badar was batted at 7/8 every innings, albeit may be once. Then comes Saud & Saad - entire PSL carried drinks and they must be happy for that $25K payment .....

In fact, I actually do agree with him - his worry is valid. Asad is trying to resurrect his T20 career, so he is a youngster indeed in this format, while MoHa is trying to become a single facet (specialist bat), from his 3 - therefore he is also a youngster (fresh start). Apart from that, other youngsters who got games were Rameez Raja/Raza, Sohail Akhtar ....... worrying indeed.

 

[shane]

Arthur is right. If anything, the quality of batsmen in Pakistani cricket is getting worse while other countries keep setting higher standards.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Read the first line again bro.

Maybe my lack of a comma was confusing. I said neither Sami Aslam or Shan Masood will open, which is a GOOD thing.

my bad

I hope when the time comes AZhar is one opener, 2nd opener is lottery, personally Id take Amin or Fahkar

 

[babajee]

my bad

I hope when the time comes AZhar is one opener, 2nd opener is lottery, personally Id take Amin or Fahkar

Azhar
Fakhar
Haris
Babar

One of the best Top 4s in the world on potential in tests.

 

[Bouncer]

I did not watch Pak v WI last year ball by ball where Kamran played as a fielder.

How bad was his fielding?
How many catches did he drop?

 

[Chief Destroyer]

These concerns would be valid if we'd played plenty of youngsters and all of them failed. Except it's been the exact opposite. Every time they are given a fair chance, they flourish.

 

[MMHS]

I did not watch Pak v WI last year ball by ball where Kamran played as a fielder.

How bad was his fielding?
How many catches did he drop?

That's just a distraction - Arthur is unable to find better words, to be politically correct here.

You have to read it like this - "Kamran is the better WK_Batsman for T20, and in great touch as well; but Sarfraz is Captain and I can't drop him" ..... come on man, they have picked Rahat as 5th pacer in squad for 3 mighty T20 and genuine No. 11, then talking smart on fielding ....

 

[pakistani pride]

LOL @ Mickey. How about you start stop playing Shezad the blocker?

Hussain Talat can bowl a bit but please just treat him like a batsmen first.

 

[Abdul]

Azhar
Fakhar
Haris
Babar

One of the best Top 4s in the world on potential in tests.

Babar with an average of 23.75?

 

[Greenstorm]

Mickey is making a mistake by considering Talat as an allrounder. Same mistake was made with Hammad Azam.

 

[babajee]

Babar with an average of 23.75?

On potential ...

 

[Abdul]

On potential ...

Fair enough but even Umar Akmal had "potential."

 

[babajee]

Fair enough but even Umar Akmal had "potential."

We can’t just keep extrapolating the Umar example.

 

[Sirris]

No B.S., no walking on the eggshells, no babysitting just straight to the point man talk. I love our coach a lot more. People might try to downplay he role or his achievements but the guy is right on the money. This is my favorite bit:

"Kamran Akmal is a very good batsman and he has scored a lot of runs but he cannot field, and Sarfaraz is our wicket-keeper"

"I qualify that by saying that we gave Kamran Akmal a chance in the series against West Indies last year and he did not perform as well as he could have"

What I love most is how he hasn't forgotten about Akmals "only three more chance" begging and shared his view about it.

 

[Abdul]

We can’t just keep extrapolating the Umar example.

Yes, we can. For obvious reasons.

 

[DRsohail]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] very honest comments with some diplomacy,Rescued Inzi for Rahat selection.

 

[shaz619]

Comments on Kakmal are brilliant )) 'Yeah he's not a bad bat but he can't field ' lmao

 

[emranabbas]

First class is where you will find batsmen’s not t20s

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Well said Mickey! This is also why the selection of Agha Salman could have been an interesting one as we do not have many batsmen coming through. Maybe Agha is not the ideal T20 player but it would have been a chance to see what he can do for us in ODI's.

Many also forget that he is the only Off-spinner these days in Pakistan.

 

[Square Drive]

And how are you dealing with the oust of your fav. player?

Absolutely fine.

I support the team, not favourites.

...And let's not act like yours is a permanent member of the side, either.

 

[Usman]

First class is where you will find batsmen’s not t20s

Exactly! If you want to see outstanding batting talent, look no further than Babar Azam, Harris Sohail, Usman Salihudin, Fawad Alam. Just like superstars such as Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, these boys aren't your slap bang 6 hitting machines. That doesn't mean they aren't outstanding anyway and it's disappointing Mickey seems to rely on the PSL to determine who is and isn't a good batsman.

 

[PakLFC]

This problem has been around since Moyo, Younis and Inzi retired. See no impending solution.

 

[Deewana]

Mickey is making a mistake by considering Talat as an allrounder. Same mistake was made with Hammad Azam.

Don't mention Hammad Azam (poor man's Anwar Ali) with Talat Hussain for god sake

 

[Madplayer]

These concerns would be valid if we'd played plenty of youngsters and all of them failed. Except it's been the exact opposite. Every time they are given a fair chance, they flourish.

Chief hitting the nail's head yet again.

Guys like saud shakeel were benched all season. Saif badar was given chances at number 7 mostly.

You need to play the youngsters to see if they swim or sink.

 

[ataullah]

In next psl every team MUST play an emerging batsmen and 2 local uncapped batsmen. These 3 players must be the most talented batsmen in Pakistan and MUST play every game.

Pitches MUST be batsmen friendly so they can play to their potential.

If Sohail Akhtar, mukhtar Ahmed and shahzaib hasan played every game in psl on batting freindly wickets and had as much game time as Asif Ali then no one would be talking about lack of batting talent.



If everyone's complaining that there's no batsmen coming through, why not change the rules in next psl for better results?

 

[Titan24]

Faheem Ashraf never played PSL and was selected for national team and now he was part of PSL as well.

PSL should be used as a wonderful platform to find young talent (Youngsters who perform in PSL should be given a chance) but not the only platform, if Faheem can perform without playing in PSL why not others. Inzi should take the initiative like he did with Faheem.

But to be honest do we need Saud Shakeel, Saad Ali or Saif Badar when we have Babar, Haris, Maik, Sarfaraz in the middle. Yes Saud might have a higher cealing than Malik but he is not a aggressor atleast from the limited knowledge we have of him. If he can be a dynamic middle order player like KP, Ross Taylor, Morgan than bring him in like they did with Faheem.

But, I guess we needed someone who can up the anti as well and we have found Asif Ali who is one of the best hitters I have seen for quite a while.

 

[Hamza_]

Nasir Nawaz is good.

 

[Salman4.]

Mickey Arthur at a press conference today:

"I have said to Umar Amin is that his best format in cricket is ODI and Tests"

"I have said the same to Haris Sohail as I am not sure he is 100% (suited) for T20 cricket"

"Haris Sohail starts in our ODIs and Test cricket line-up now"

Good time to bump this. Haris is back in the T20 squad to face Scotland.

 

[saeed5646]

Good time to bump this. Haris is back in the T20 squad to face Scotland.

He won.t get a game just there in case of injury also he was already in england so gets selected

 

[Salman4.]

P

He won.t get a game just there in case of injury also he was already in england so gets selected

LOL. How can you be so sure? Besides, Saad was also there, he could also have been selected .

 

[saeed5646]

P
LOL. How can you be so sure? Besides, Saad was also there, he could also have been selected .

It is just a guess and haris won.t be in t20 long as babar will be back soon and management won.t want an unnecessary pressure of carrying haris sohail along with babar .if haris scores decent against scotland that will put extra pressure on tour managment and that is why may be they just bench him against scotland then justify babar return by dropping him for zim series

 

[BreadPakoda]

Well you don’t just have to look at PSL to find batsmen... why can’t they hold an U25 camp or something?

Good comments though by Mickey.

How can these be good comments when this is the golden era for PCT batting, led by Saad Ali? I’m confused now.