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[PICTURES] Mickey Arthur is fuming!

Irfan is just one of the guys in the team who are just not in touch with what is the meaning of a professional athlete & the fitness requirements that now come with it.

In Pak culture the trend now has become that you train hard and focus on healthy diet only when you are attending a training camp or have been chosen to tour with the team. Anytime outside that time, just doing a net session twice a week is good enough to sharpen your skills as allah has blessed you with all of the talent in the world, oh yeah..Now that you are an international cricketer and make money...that means now you got to enjoy the money by eating unhealthy at home and when your buddies in home time want to hangout then head out to Mcdonald's and KFC which did not exist in your town 10 years ago so eating that food will show your friends that "You have made it" & will be a status symbol on social media.

In other places athletes train twice as hard during off season to sharpen their own skills on their own time. For example Bolt ran for less than 2 minutes in the three olympic golds that he got, but he had been training since 2000, so in 16 years of training he ran tens (if not hundreds) of thousand of training runs to get to the point where he won nine golds in under 2 minutes of running. If Usain was Pakistani cricketer he would have been told or believed that after winning his first gold, he is extremely talented and just can get away with training right before olympics.

Whereas in Pakistan you only sharpen your skills while you are at training camp or in NCA where you have coaches to help you. The concept of self analysis and one's own efforts to improve one's technical side of cricket is not considered because everyone has been made to believe that talent alone is good enough.

I read Steve Waugh's "Out of my Comfort Zone" almost 8 years ago and I remember remember one of the comment made by him, when he compared player's diets from 80's to 90's and he said when I started playing, we considered Big Mac healthy because there were shredded lettuce in it. But they did change in late 80's/early 90's and were the early adopters towards having a scientific approach towards cricketer's nutritional requirements. I am sure that their players take care of their bodies with healthy diets and improve their skills not only during the season but also during off season as well.

Many believe that Irfan's issue is only physical fitness but I think his issues are beyond fitness and he is just not able to bowl as a bowler as he never was a cricketer. We got some wickets out of him and the guy made good money for a bit of work but this is where it should end. The guy has every right to keep on playing domestic cricket and PSL to make money but there should be someone wise enough to decide that his international cricket served it purpose in 2013 and that is where it should end.

I personally have never believed him to be cricketer let alone a bowler. He might still get picked in future and perhaps is even going to win you a game or two but he is NOT suppose to be on a cricket field for international competition.
 
Made some additional comments to above post to explain Mickey's disappointment in Irfan's saga yesterday during the game

Irfan is just one of the guys in the team who are just not in touch with what is the meaning of a professional athlete & the fitness requirements that now come with it.

In Pak culture the trend now has become that you train hard and focus on healthy diet only when you are attending a training camp or have been chosen to tour with the team. Anytime outside that time, just doing a net session twice a week is good enough to sharpen your skills as allah has blessed you with all of the talent in the world, oh yeah..Now that you are an international cricketer and make money...that means now you got to enjoy the money by eating unhealthy at home and when your buddies in home time want to hangout then head out to Mcdonald's and KFC which did not exist in your town 10 years ago so eating that food will show your friends that "You have made it" & will be a status symbol on social media.

In other places athletes train twice as hard during off season to sharpen their own skills on their own time. For example Bolt ran for less than 2 minutes in the three olympic golds that he got, but he had been training since 2000, so in 16 years of training he ran tens (if not hundreds) of thousand of training runs to get to the point where he won nine golds in under 2 minutes of running. If Usain was Pakistani cricketer he would have been told or believed that after winning his first gold, he is extremely talented and just can get away with training right before olympics.

Whereas in Pakistan you only sharpen your skills while you are at training camp or in NCA where you have coaches to help you. The concept of self analysis and one's own efforts to improve one's technical side of cricket is not considered because everyone has been made to believe that talent alone is good enough. This is why Mickey was very disappointed with Irfan as in his mind Irfan should have been fit as he knew well in advance that he was on standby for the ODIs and he should have been fit. Whereas the reality is when Irfan was not touring with the team or in NCA, he was doing just bare minimum to sharpen his bowling skills or to ensure he is match fit. This is the mentality of many others (Includes the players that are in test/ODI squad and those that are not in the squad.)

I read Steve Waugh's "Out of my Comfort Zone" almost 8 years ago and I remember remember one of the comment made by him, when he compared player's diets from 80's to 90's and he said when I started playing, we considered Big Mac healthy because there were shredded lettuce in it. But they did change in late 80's/early 90's and were the early adopters towards having a scientific approach towards cricketer's nutritional requirements. I am sure that their players take care of their bodies with healthy diets and improve their skills not only during the season but also during off season as well.

Many believe that Irfan's issue is only physical fitness but I think his issues are beyond fitness and he is just not able to bowl as a bowler as he never was a cricketer. We got some wickets out of him and the guy made good money for a bit of work but this is where it should end. The guy has every right to keep on playing domestic cricket and PSL to make money but there should be someone wise enough to decide that his international cricket served it purpose in 2013 and that is where it should end.

I personally have never believed him to be cricketer let alone a bowler. He might still get picked in future and perhaps is even going to win you a game or two but he is NOT suppose to be on a cricket field for international competition.
 
The bias against Pakistan comes clearly from your posts. Do you even try and hide it?

Taking the job of coaching Pakistan is not a dishonor. It may be how you look at in India but the opportunity to coach Pakistan is not looked down upon by anyone.

There are security issues and maybe the money may not be top notch but thats about it. No one's resume is destroyed due to that.

Dont post such rubbish here.

I never mentioned taking of the job of pak coaching is something dishonor. I criticized the system from the point of view of someone coming from outside to coach. Let me quote the post again which explains why I said so.

It is just basic logic. With the domestic setup, senior culture, and outside interference will always hinder the job of a coach in PCB. Even if you see a a remedy, you may not go ahead due to factors not related to cricket.

Then comes results like these. But when your tenure is over, in the next interview, it'll reflect in the resume. The next board won't consider what difficulties you faced but what were your results were.

Mickey probably took this job because he had something to prove after the disaster in his last position.

It is either a do or die for him.


To you Pakistan is an aspect that you are emotionally bonded with. Mickey has no ties before taking this position. So evidently he'll try to put an impact so that the team along with his resume gets benefitted.

I don't see anywhere I disrespected Pakistan except the system with which the PCB is running. And criticizing the system is not same as stating "dishonor....." in my opinion.
 
I asked Mickey at the press conference about Irfan.

He said it was very frustrating what had happened and also that as far as he was aware Irfan had played some T20 matches and 50 over matches recently.

The fact though is that he had only played 1 T20 match. No idea where the 50 over matches were allegedly played and for whom.


The 50 over matches were practice matches at the NCA
 
Irfan looked overweight and totally unfit. Mickey welcome to the Pakistan setup.
This is the reality now sort it out.....start by getting rid of the selector cause he ain't gonna help you.
 
Despite security issues, PCB has hired a fantastic coach in Mickey.

I think, it's a learning curve for him as well. To be polite, PAK cricket is full of people "who don't tell the fact", if you ask them for any information. If I use my true feelings, mods 'll get busy. 4th ODI gave Arthur a lesson on standard operating process in PCB - now he'll be able to work despite duplicity.

Arthur is a pro & I am sure in these 3 months, he has more info of PAK players in last few years than PCB it self has. He knows the history of Irfan more than most. He was upset because he was sold a dummy. After 1st ODI, Mickey isn't that dumb not to see what was coming - as a blessing MoHa got "injured", which gave him the opportunity to protect his main bowling pair. He was looking for a pacer who can play the last 2 ODI, just in case PAK is 3-0 down already.

Now, before calling Irfan, he had definitely cross-checked with few people - could be Inzi, could be even Shahriar AND one or many of them bluffed him. He is upset not only because he was back-stabbed (every PAK Jurno 'll grill him now asking why he called Irfan), but also because his plan was scraped - now in a dead rubber, he'll have to play one or both of Aamir, Wahab at the start of a busy season.

I am damn sure he won't be fooled so easily next time - I believe, he'll increase PCB's expenses. He'll pick 2/3 extra players as a cover for mid series injury, but won't back on people at PCB. And, before the final squad is uttered by Inzi, he'll personally check fitness report for every individual probables. It's very rare that a Head Coach taunts own team in front of media (we are 9th & the last 4 ODI explains why we are there - is not a politically correct press brieffing from HC). He had a 40 minutes of chat with Inzi over long distance call - I am sure, they didn't exchange their vacation plan in that chat.

The real fitness war has started finally (not WY style) - either PAK 'll be a fitter team, or Miki 'll get sacked.
 
Despite security issues, PCB has hired a fantastic coach in Mickey.

I think, it's a learning curve for him as well. To be polite, PAK cricket is full of people "who don't tell the fact", if you ask them for any information. If I use my true feelings, mods 'll get busy. 4th ODI gave Arthur a lesson on standard operating process in PCB - now he'll be able to work despite duplicity.

Arthur is a pro & I am sure in these 3 months, he has more info of PAK players in last few years than PCB it self has. He knows the history of Irfan more than most. He was upset because he was sold a dummy. After 1st ODI, Mickey isn't that dumb not to see what was coming - as a blessing MoHa got "injured", which gave him the opportunity to protect his main bowling pair. He was looking for a pacer who can play the last 2 ODI, just in case PAK is 3-0 down already.

Now, before calling Irfan, he had definitely cross-checked with few people - could be Inzi, could be even Shahriar AND one or many of them bluffed him. He is upset not only because he was back-stabbed (every PAK Jurno 'll grill him now asking why he called Irfan), but also because his plan was scraped - now in a dead rubber, he'll have to play one or both of Aamir, Wahab at the start of a busy season.

I am damn sure he won't be fooled so easily next time - I believe, he'll increase PCB's expenses. He'll pick 2/3 extra players as a cover for mid series injury, but won't back on people at PCB. And, before the final squad is uttered by Inzi, he'll personally check fitness report for every individual probables. It's very rare that a Head Coach taunts own team in front of media (we are 9th & the last 4 ODI explains why we are there - is not a politically correct press brieffing from HC). He had a 40 minutes of chat with Inzi over long distance call - I am sure, they didn't exchange their vacation plan in that chat.

The real fitness war has started finally (not WY style) - either PAK 'll be a fitter team, or Miki 'll get sacked.

We could play Yasir instead of irfan.


Liking the 2nd paragraph, no way will anyone get away with poor fitness with this guy. If he goes down he's taking pcb and some players down with him.

He will now have a big say in selection as he said he is looking at domestic players and if he talked to inzi for 40 minutes it certainly was about selection and fitness
 
Thanks to the ever inconsistent Wahab Riaz. However, still i am sure that he wont throw his players under the bus in public. He is too professional for that to happen.
 
Thanks to the ever inconsistent Wahab Riaz. However, still i am sure that he wont throw his players under the bus in public. He is too professional for that to happen.
He already has a few times lol #irfan

Though I like this approach anyways. Out players need the danda
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Judging by the look on Mickey Arthur's face, some players should go straight to the hotel & not into the dressing room with him <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvsWI?src=hash">#PAKvsWI</a> <a href="https://t.co/2PkIQb0yWh">pic.twitter.com/2PkIQb0yWh</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/779766022387724288">September 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
I quite enjoyed Mickey getting angry at the end there as he wasn't taking it easy and didn't want his players to do the same.

Shows he's a winner and a perfectionist and this attitude is needed in Pakistan cricket.
 
Honestly, I think it's phenomenal. I really hope he gives it to someone like Wahab Riaz, who relies on one great performance these days to justify dozens of clunkers. And I hope he whips Hasan Ali into shape.

I want a coach who doesn't take this garbage nonsense. You suck? You play brainless? You almost throw away a winning match? You better hear it.
 
And while he's at it I really hope he gives it to Umar AKmal for doing that stupid celebration THREE times when it was barely funny the first.
 
I'm not an expert at lipreading but it seemed like he was saying Nawaz. In other words why was Hasan Ali bowling when Nawaz still had an over left.
 
I'm not an expert at lipreading but it seemed like he was saying Nawaz. In other words why was Hasan Ali bowling when Nawaz still had an over left.

Which is 10000% valid.

And also looked like he was screaming about field settings.
 
More so than anything, he was just frustrated that Pakistan took their foot off the pedal. It was clear energy levels dropped once the win was secure.
 
I quite enjoyed Mickey getting angry at the end there as he wasn't taking it easy and didn't want his players to do the same.

Shows he's a winner and a perfectionist and this attitude is needed in Pakistan cricket.
wenever pakistan had opportunity to whitewash they took it lightly.. against africa in that odi series and vs India in india too.
lets see if they can change it.
and i think the kind of coach arthur is azhar ali is totally opp of him.
sarfraz should take over.. period
 
Honestly, I think it's phenomenal. I really hope he gives it to someone like Wahab Riaz, who relies on one great performance these days to justify dozens of clunkers. And I hope he whips Hasan Ali into shape.

I want a coach who doesn't take this garbage nonsense. You suck? You play brainless? You almost throw away a winning match? You better hear it.

YK tried to do that last time and the mafia rose up in numbers.

MA should know better. Someone should tell him how honesty is rewarded in Pakistan.
 
Thanks to the ever inconsistent Wahab Riaz. However, still i am sure that he wont throw his players under the bus in public. He is too professional for that to happen.

If Pakistan were to play its absolutely best T20 side then Amir should come in for Wahab, it's as clear as day.
 
He needs to calm the hell down. If that's how he is going to react when we are winning I can't picture his reaction when we will lose. No need to get so animated and show it on media.
 
He needs to calm the hell down. If that's how he is going to react when we are winning I can't picture his reaction when we will lose. No need to get so animated and show it on media.

Team needs a hard task master for a change who also knows his stuff unlike clueless Waqar
 
He needs to calm the hell down. If that's how he is going to react when we are winning I can't picture his reaction when we will lose. No need to get so animated and show it on media.

The problem with Pakistan is that everyone is lax, takes their place for granted, and they think one win overcomes all the performance in losses.

I'm glad to have a coach who says - no, if you play poorly in a win, it's just as bad. And if someone's going to get mad about Wahab Riaz's brainless bowling, I'm all for it.

And I wonder if the media will give him a little leeway and he won't be as afraid of conspiracies because he's white?

If he can instill even a small measure of urgency in the players, thank goodness.
 
The problem with Pakistan is that everyone is lax, takes their place for granted, and they think one win overcomes all the performance in losses.

I'm glad to have a coach who says - no, if you play poorly in a win, it's just as bad. And if someone's going to get mad about Wahab Riaz's brainless bowling, I'm all for it.

And I wonder if the media will give him a little leeway and he won't be as afraid of conspiracies because he's white?

If he can instill even a small measure of urgency in the players, thank goodness.

Media will not give him any leeway that's for sure.

But my issue is that he was getting too animated. You have to maintain a good environment. He should take notes and give a handful to Riaz for his bowling but he was clearly overreacting there. I don't want our players to go through homework gate saga..
 
Team needs a hard task master for a change who also knows his stuff unlike clueless Waqar

Waqar was a pathetic coach no doubt but I hope Mickey calms down a bit.. Millitary styles coaching won't work. It didn't work with Australian team and it surely won't work with Pakistanis.
 
he wants them to represent the country with all the passion and energy needed for the game from them... unfortunately this was lacking and mickey trying to fix it from the base which is good...
 
he wants them to represent the country with all the passion and energy needed for the game from them... unfortunately this was lacking and mickey trying to fix it from the base which is good...

I don't think its passion and energy that Wahab lacks..
 
I seem to be in the minority here, but strongly feel he is being OTT and why is he doing it in front of the cameras like a big drama queen?

The game was won, it was a good opportunity to let Hassan Ali experience bowling against hitters at the death of a T20. He will learn from this experience. Don't forget Mr. Arthur, we just won two nil. Would you ever speak to Indian players in this way? No chance.
 
Media will not give him any leeway that's for sure.

But my issue is that he was getting too animated. You have to maintain a good environment. He should take notes and give a handful to Riaz for his bowling but he was clearly overreacting there. I don't want our players to go through homework gate saga..

Our players need a danda and a hard task master. If someone just delivers a message politely to Wahab, he will just fleetingly take them and put it in the bin, he needs to be told that his brainless bowling is not going to be tolerated under any circumstances.
 
He obviously demands the best at all times ,regardless of being in a strong position which is great.

The only potential problem for Arthur is Pakistani players can become volatile, there is a lot of politics involved. Over time groups could emerge against him which will hurt the progress of the team. Hope it doesn't come to this as Arthur is the right man for this job.
 
I seem to be in the minority here, but strongly feel he is being OTT and why is he doing it in front of the cameras like a big drama queen?

The game was won, it was a good opportunity to let Hassan Ali experience bowling against hitters at the death of a T20. He will learn from this experience. Don't forget Mr. Arthur, we just won two nil. Would you ever speak to Indian players in this way? No chance.

He wants them to be ruthless . If you are not you will not get away with top teams.

You do not want to be winning against WI only , If you want to get up the rankings , you need to beat the best teams.
 
He really let it lose on Hasan and Wahab today at the end of the innings. :))

Cursed and then left the balcony in anger.

Replicates us fans' reactions perfectly. Good to see the passion as compared to stone face Dav Whatmore.

Feel for Hasan Ali though, innocent looking kid. People were raging on Kami for going hard on his domestic pacers. poor Hasan was celebrating today taking a wicket ans then Sarfraz angrily took him to task like an angry granny.
 
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Our players need a danda and a hard task master. If someone just delivers a message politely to Wahab, he will just fleetingly take them and put it in the bin, he needs to be told that his brainless bowling is not going to be tolerated under any circumstances.

If someone isn't listening then that means he should be dropped. No one should indispensable. IMO the coach went overboard.. Needs to be calm and calculated.
 
Win should not mask your every problem. And that's the thing i like about Mickey, i hope he delivered some lecture to our players ;)
 
about time alot of these pakistani players needed a kick up the back side.

Waqar's era will always be remembered for the fear he installed in the squad and pretty much having no qualifications to make a team a better batting unit.

Waqar being our coach for nearly 5 years since 2010 is the reason why our LOI game is in shatters.
 
I expect one or to players to go running to PCB officials regarding Mickey Arthur.
Watch this space.
 
It's too dramatic by Micky!!!!! So much anger and yet select Shafiq, Rahat, Yasir and Azhar as their captain.
 
I expect one or to players to go running to PCB officials regarding Mickey Arthur.
Watch this space.

"Sir jee yah Mickey Sir bohat cheekhtay hum par; Woh Inti ko please Coach banadain ...pls?!"
 
We asked him about this....


PakPassion.net : Television pictures showed you extremely frustrated during the recently concluded series against England. Is that something we can expect more of during your tenure?

Mickey Arthur : Yes, that is how I am. I wear my heart on the sleeve and I certainly don’t beat around the bush and hide things in these matters. Coming to those television pictures, yes, I was extremely frustrated during the ODI series in England. For example, at Headingley in the fourth ODI, we were just one wicket away from getting a result that would have given us confidence in the brand of cricket that we wanted to play. If you look at where we started in Southampton in the first ODI and where we finished in Cardiff, there was a lot of work which went in there. So, at Headingley we were keen to get over the line as that reinforces the brand of cricket we want to play and the work we are putting in. I was very keen to see us do that and was immensely frustrated for several reasons. I wanted to solidify what we had been doing and I wanted the guys to get confidence out of that. As you know I have been vocal about the fact that fitness and fielding are the two biggest challenges that Pakistan face. I get very excited when the West Indies management tell me that this is the fittest Pakistan team they have ever seen. But I do know that we have some way to go in terms of achieving higher standards. When we are not finishing off games because we are not fit enough or strong enough to do that then I do get frustrated and vent my feelings as we saw. I always say that batting and bowling are not measurable as some guy may get out for nought or you may bowl your best ball and get hit for four. Fielding and fitness, we can measure and those are non-negotiable. Gone are the days when you could be rocking up to the team and be not fit. Gone are the days that guys would come into the team and sit in their comfort zones. We are now setting up proper standards and these are comparable to most international teams around the world. We cannot rely just on skill any more. Skill will only get you so far. -


See more at: http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...zones-quot-Mickey-Arthur#sthash.bTAxGUYF.dpuf
 
We asked him about this....


PakPassion.net : Television pictures showed you extremely frustrated during the recently concluded series against England. Is that something we can expect more of during your tenure?

Mickey Arthur : Yes, that is how I am. I wear my heart on the sleeve and I certainly don’t beat around the bush and hide things in these matters. Coming to those television pictures, yes, I was extremely frustrated during the ODI series in England. For example, at Headingley in the fourth ODI, we were just one wicket away from getting a result that would have given us confidence in the brand of cricket that we wanted to play. If you look at where we started in Southampton in the first ODI and where we finished in Cardiff, there was a lot of work which went in there. So, at Headingley we were keen to get over the line as that reinforces the brand of cricket we want to play and the work we are putting in. I was very keen to see us do that and was immensely frustrated for several reasons. I wanted to solidify what we had been doing and I wanted the guys to get confidence out of that. As you know I have been vocal about the fact that fitness and fielding are the two biggest challenges that Pakistan face. I get very excited when the West Indies management tell me that this is the fittest Pakistan team they have ever seen. But I do know that we have some way to go in terms of achieving higher standards. When we are not finishing off games because we are not fit enough or strong enough to do that then I do get frustrated and vent my feelings as we saw. I always say that batting and bowling are not measurable as some guy may get out for nought or you may bowl your best ball and get hit for four. Fielding and fitness, we can measure and those are non-negotiable. Gone are the days when you could be rocking up to the team and be not fit. Gone are the days that guys would come into the team and sit in their comfort zones. We are now setting up proper standards and these are comparable to most international teams around the world. We cannot rely just on skill any more. Skill will only get you so far. -


See more at: http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...zones-quot-Mickey-Arthur#sthash.bTAxGUYF.dpuf

Those reactions were absolutely priceless :)) In Physics they say a diagram is like 1,000 words; you can say the same about the expressions on Mickey's face lol

It proves though that he actually cares and that's refreshing for once. He won't hesitate to get the whip out and I love that about him
 
It seems Mickey is the sort of person who says it how it is. If people don't like it, that's tough.

Some will take to it, others will whine.

At the moment most of the players aren't whiners, but there are some on the fringes who if brought back and picked regularly will cause issues.
 
It seems Mickey is the sort of person who says it how it is. If people don't like it, that's tough.

Some will take to it, others will whine.

At the moment most of the players aren't whiners, but there are some on the fringes who if brought back and picked regularly will cause issues.

That's where the PCB have to take a stand. They MUST back Mickey or risk undoing all the work he is putting in.
 
When an organisation has no institutional memory, you are bound to repeat your mistakes.

I guess Misbah and Waqar took a nap during this match when Irfan broke down.
 
Mickey Arthur on Irfan today:


"Very rusty, Mohammad Irfan. He didn't play much during my time and that was because we didn't think he was consistent enough in his areas and we saw that. He was both sides of the wicket, bowled a no-ball. Irfan gives you pace and bounce but is it sustainable over a long period of time? No. He's going to have to bowl very well to maintain his place in the side because he gives runs away in the field. If you're trying to establish a high performance culture, a fitness and disciplined culture, he doesn't give you that. He gives you x-factor, but is it sustainable? Not sure. The lengths he bowls are very good to domestic cricketers but international cricketers take toll on that.That's a dilemma Misbah and Waqar will face going forward"

"If I was coaching a batsman, I'd say you go deep in the crease for Irfan and look to hit him square because of the extra bounce. That played a bit with Irfan, we saw him miss his lengths. That makes Amir's job harder. Bowling in partnerships, we didn't see that at all"
 
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