"We are a better team than we were before arriving in South Africa last year" : Mickey Arthur

[MenInG]

"We are a better team than we were before arriving in South Africa last year" : Mickey Arthur

Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur has insisted that his team return home a better side with important lessons learnd despite having lost to the Proteas in all the formats during their disappointing two-month tour to South Africa.

The Proteas beat Pakistan 3-0 in the Test series‚ 3-2 in the ODIs series and 2-1 in the T20 series but Arthur said his team have learned from playing on spicy South African wickets‚ and they also ticked an important box with regards to World Cup preparations.

“We have been on the road for four-and-half months‚ at hotels‚ if you factor in that we played against Australia and New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)‚” he said after their 27-run T20 win over Proteas at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday might.

“I genuinely believe that we are a better team than we were before arriving in South Africa last year.

“We are a better team for our World Cup preparations and playing in foreign conditions and I am proud with the way the guys have stuck to their guns.

“We gained valuable knowledge and confidence on playing against the frightening South African fast bowling attack.

“Throughout the South African tour‚ we have seen how guys have grown because this is a tough place to tour and no Asian team comes here and win. For us to have competed throughout the series was pleasing.

“The boys never got to the point where they had one foot on the plane back home. Our last training session was as intense as the first training session we had when we arrived in the country.

“I am incredibly happy how the young boys have grown during this tour. We will certainly come back a far better team in future‚ there were only three guys in the Test team who have toured SA before.”

Arthur also gave credit to the Proteas‚ who were brilliant at times‚ especially in the Test series‚ where they won by convincing margins of six wickets‚ nine wickets and 107 runs at SuperSport Park‚ Newlands and Wanderers respectively.

“Full marks to South Africa because they played the crunch moments well during the tour. I have been very impressed with this South African team in all the formats.

“They have lots of talent and they unleashed more young players in this T20 series and guys keep on stepping to the plate. I think they are in a good position.”

He praised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for backing Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain after he left the camp early following a ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for his racist remarks on Andile Phehlukwayo.

“It is a good decision. I spoke to the chairman this week and we had a long discussion about it‚” Arthur said.

“There has been a long speculation about him and the Pakistan media is vicious‚ as you can imagine‚ and it is a tough environment when you are not winning.

’Safi’ [Sarfaraz] was feeling the pressure but we can now focus on preparing for the World Cup.”

Arthur said that he hopes for a good reception when Pakistan arrive back home.

“I hope the Pakistan media and the public sees the positives from this tour.

"I am doing a press conference in Lahore on Friday morning and I am hoping that they see it for what it is‚ and the fact that Pakistan doesn’t have the history of winning here.

“I hope they see how Babar Azam‚ Imam ul-Huq and a couple of our young players are developing because that is the biggest takeaway from the tour.”

https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/c...tter-team-in-south-africa-says-mickey-arthur/

 

[Hyperion66]

Arthur fooling gullible public yet again, low expectations from fans also helps.

 

[Etherealistic]

He is massively overrating his team which only adds to the pressure and we know they cannot handle pressure.

 

[LastManstanding]

Congratulations to Pakistani fans on moral victory.

 

[shariqnoor]

I have no problems with Mickey publicly praising his players for their efforts. I would be more worried if he actually did the opposite. However, behind closed doors Mickey needs to thrash some of these players and for starters potentially end international careers of 1 or 2. Faheem Ashraf being the number 1 casualty.

Apart from the first Test match where the team was actually in a very good position to force a win, the second and third test matches were thrashings. The ODI and T20 series were competitive but there's a lot of work to do in the longer format.

Overall not a completely disastrous tour. I was expecting 3-0 in Tests, 4-1 in ODIs and 3-0 in T20s. In that respect, the team actually punched above its weight.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I have no problems with Mickey publicly praising his players for their efforts. I would be more worried if he actually did the opposite. However, behind closed doors Mickey needs to thrash some of these players and for starters potentially end international careers of 1 or 2. Faheem Ashraf being the number 1 casualty.

Apart from the first Test match where the team was actually in a very good position to force a win, the second and third test matches were thrashings. The ODI and T20 series were competitive but there's a lot of work to do in the longer format.

Overall not a completely disastrous tour. I was expecting 3-0 in Tests, 4-1 in ODIs and 3-0 in T20s. In that respect, the team actually punched above its weight.

Public praise shouldn't happen always.

It looks foolish in the current context.

 

[Rana]

TBH, ive been fairly impressed with this Pakistan side. They were never truly out of the game throughout the series starting from the Tests all the way up to the ODIs. They lost most of the games because of losing concentration at key junctures throughout.

I was disappointed with our Fast bowling efforts in the Tests and the brainless bowling by key bowlers in parts of the ODI and T20s, but I didnt expect Pakistan to compete as much as they have.

 

[shariqnoor]

Public praise shouldn't happen always.

It looks foolish in the current context.

Babar Azam and Imam ul Haq were really the standout performers. So I don't find anything wrong in publicly praising them. In a bad tour, those who did perform relatively need to be recognized and acknowledged. Also Mickey didn't go on and praise Hafeez or Malik or Faheem. So I'm fine by what he said. But like I said, behind closed doors there needs to be some serious thrashing.

 

[Tyler Durden]

TBH, ive been fairly impressed with this Pakistan side. They were never truly out of the game throughout the series starting from the Tests all the way up to the ODIs. They lost most of the games because of losing concentration at key junctures throughout.

I was disappointed with our Fast bowling efforts in the Tests and the brainless bowling by key bowlers in parts of the ODI and T20s, but I didnt expect Pakistan to compete as much as they have.

Yawn!! Been hearing this since a decade now! Anything new?

 

[MMHS]

I think, he can praise individuals, because Babar overall and Imam, Shaheen, Amir, Shan partially had a good tour, may be Shadab as well, but I don’t agree with his assessment over the team.

To be honest, it was Test where SAF played their possible full squad and it was completely one sided. Overall ODI can be acceptable, but it was spoiled by the T20 series - and there was no excuses after because Bg in SAF for 6/7 weeks. After Test series, I can recall him saying that couple more weeks of acclamation could have changed things ... now after LO leg he is complaining about fatigue!!!!!

If I be honest with my self, I think till T20I, PAK didn’t disappoint me : 3-0 in Test inside 2/3rd duration (9 days and a bit in total out of 15) was expected. Team out performed in ODI (I was expecting 4-1), but everything was spoiled in T20I - I was expecting 2-1 against a full strength SAF or at least 1-2 but not against the squad they picked.

 

[hadi123]

Yaaar come on Mickey. We have let down the nation

 

[ask_analyse_act]

That 49 all out never happened. No bundling out for less than 100 in tests which normally happens. Missing Haris on injury is a major setback in this tour.

Better than the previous tours imo

 

[Pete Rose]

Yaaar come on Mickey. We have let down the nation

It’s just a game.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Babar Azam and Imam ul Haq were really the standout performers. So I don't find anything wrong in publicly praising them. In a bad tour, those who did perform relatively need to be recognized and acknowledged. Also Mickey didn't go on and praise Hafeez or Malik or Faheem. So I'm fine by what he said. But like I said, behind closed doors there needs to be some serious thrashing.

As MMHS mentioned, public praise for individuals is ok.

For the team, it looks stupid.

This is a garbage SA side.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

It’s just a game.

Poor attitude. Have some pride. Micky is becoming worthless. We are in freefall. Time for change.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

As MMHS mentioned, public praise for individuals is ok.

For the team, it looks stupid.

This is a garbage SA side.

Great to see you back! Post more often.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Great to see you back! Post more often.

Haha cheers.

Just dropped by for like 10 minutes.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Probably he didn't expect his side to compete in any format. Babar, Shaheen, Imam are great gains for Pakistan. There is one area that will not improve in one series is handling short balls. Olivier had fun simply by pitching short.

 

[Junaid_ahmed]

I think, he can praise individuals, because Babar overall and Imam, Shaheen, Amir, Shan partially had a good tour, may be Shadab as well, but I don’t agree with his assessment over the team.

To be honest, it was Test where SAF played their possible full squad and it was completely one sided. Overall ODI can be acceptable, but it was spoiled by the T20 series - and there was no excuses after because Bg in SAF for 6/7 weeks. After Test series, I can recall him saying that couple more weeks of acclamation could have changed things ... now after LO leg he is complaining about fatigue!!!!!

If I be honest with my self, I think till T20I, PAK didn’t disappoint me : 3-0 in Test inside 2/3rd duration (9 days and a bit in total out of 15) was expected. Team out performed in ODI (I was expecting 4-1), but everything was spoiled in T20I - I was expecting 2-1 against a full strength SAF or at least 1-2 but not against the squad they picked.

Honestly, since SA restart after ban this was the best bowling attack (tests) I have seen where their worst bowler avg was under 25.

 

[Junaid_ahmed]

In ODIs & T20s Pak & SA are very much alike. In tests SA are level ahead.

 

[Hawkeye]

Pathetic.

Again playing to the gallery. This is so bad.

This shows the PCB and management have accepted we're now a minnow team.

You would expect this kind of winning hearts and moral victories from minnows.

Not a supposed top test team. That too after losing every series on tour from a depleted C side.

But anyway, looks like they've accepted they belong at number #8 ranking!

 

[Plumb]

Sorry Arthur you may have created a good bench mark for fitness, there also I don't completely agree when you take 5 injured players on the tour based on your likeness. But comments like these I think we have enough of you, you and flower should pack your bags and look for next stint.

How many match winner players you developed and how many you destroyed answer this buddy...

 

[Muhammad Saad]

Looks like Micky finally accepted that we are far below talent compare to big 4 and he is addressing Pak fans that we have certainly punch above our weights considering the gulf in quality b/w both teams. We could have won ODIs and T20s had we have a better luck.

 

[BreadPakoda]

After losing to NZ, Mickey hyped up the team's chances by saying his batsmen and bowlers perform best in overseas conditions.

Now when his team is going home empty handed, he says they've done well.

 

[BreadPakoda]

What an excuse from Mickey that his players have been on the road. Includes UAE tests against NZ and Aus.

NZ was more on the road than Pakistan in UAE, yet they drew the ODIs and won the test series. Australia was missing some very important players yet they salvaged a draw under testing conditions. Something Pakistan couldn't do in SA.

Secondly, he has to accept UAE as Pakistan's home for cricket. He cannot use it as an excuse as Pakistan has been playing in UAE for over a decade and has been doing very well before he took charge.

 

[Pete Rose]

Poor attitude. Have some pride. Micky is becoming worthless. We are in freefall. Time for change.

ok, i will sharpen the guillotine.

 

[ABMiller]

For me, Pakistan loosing T20 series is simply not acceptable. We all know that South Africa uses T20s to meet the quota (transformation) targets.
I have never seen any worst bowler than Junior Dala playing for South Africa

 

[rhony]

Close series in ODIs and T20s and Pak grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory. Could have won both series. I agree with most of his points and the team competed well. Mickey's biggest worry should be the pathetic performances by his ace batsmen Azhar in tests and Fakhar in LOIs. Both of them have become bunnies against short pitched bowling.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Pathetic.

Again playing to the gallery. This is so bad.

This shows the PCB and management have accepted we're now a minnow team.

You would expect this kind of winning hearts and moral victories from minnows.

Not a supposed top test team. That too after losing every series on tour from a depleted C side.

But anyway, looks like they've accepted they belong at number #8 ranking!

Exactly. Need to stop acting like snowflakes and not take defeats so easily.

 

[ILcricket]

Stating the obvious . All players 30 or under benefit from overseas tours & relatively alien conditions .

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

As MMHS mentioned, public praise for individuals is ok.

For the team, it looks stupid.

This is a garbage SA side.

Well Pakistan is obviously slightly more garbage. The games were often close, but noticeably SA always won the crunch moments. one of the better teams like India and NZ would probably beat them, but Pakistan is not that level.

I know supporters have the habit of slagging off losing managers, but he can't bat and bowl for them, ultimately it comes down to the players being good enough to do their jobs. There is some talent there in the Pakistan side, so I agree with Arthur that these tours we are learning a lot about the players and the team. Obviously he has to sound positive, otherwise he'd be giving up.

 

[Khwaja78]

As an Arthur fan I am seriously disappointed with him and the support staff. Off course selectors are the guilty party but the way players like Fakhar and Asif's batting has regressed shows they are not being looked after well by the batting coach.

His support for Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali is another major catastrophe for the team.

We are not a better team after this tour, batsmen can't play short, can't pull, can't hook, push the panic button. The top 5 [upper and middle order] can't score 100 runs on a bouncy pitch. The bowlers can't swing esp. Amir who has lost the in-swing into the right hander. Following him Shaheen, Hasan Ali all have been unable to move the ball, wayward and expensive.

His Friday press conference is not going to solve anything anytime soon.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Good comments. Agreed with most assessments.

 

[Savak]

With the world cup around the corner, now is not the time to demoralize the team. Hold introspections and mirrors gradually in due course.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

The wrong calls:

Backing Yasir Shah in the first two matches.
Backing Azhar in the third test.
Playing Babar at six despite Babar in form. A Shan-Babar partnership might have changed the entire series.
Not playing Shan in the ODI series.
Giving captaincy to Malik when Sarfraz got banned.
Playing Sarfaraz in the 3rd match after the Andile incident.
Not playing 4 seamers in the first two test matches.
Continuously playing Fahim Ashraf as an all-rounder in limited overs cricket.
No chances for young batsmen in the test squad
Power hitters being Asif, Imad, and Fahim. None of them appear to be long-term options.

The right calls:

Winning the toss and batting first in the first test.
Being bold and trying to play Fakhar as an attack option (didn't work but it was a good attempt)
Forming the template for the away team in foreign conditions in the third test (If they stick to it and don't revert back to type)
Accidentally introducing Shan in the test team.
Giving senior batsmen a rocket for poor performance (the bad in this was however that they were still continued in the next games)

Some behind the scenes thinking was shocking and it can't be put on the players. There was an element of bad luck too that followed the team resulting in some very crucial moments. The T20 result was a real downer as that series could and should have been won with ease.

Overall the tour was a chastening experience and I'm so glad it's over. Now on to PSL and Karachi Kings in the real format of the game.

 

[Hasan123]

I see improvement in individual players but I don't think we are a better team after this tour.

 

[gazza619]

To be fair the team would have learnt a hell of a lot. The next plan should be ban all the important players from playing in the UAE. Next time we play in the UAE we should send a B eleven or under 19 squad.

Those slow low pitches are like poison.

 

[Banter]

Well, ODI series against Weakened Aus team will be a good indicator of how much 'better' Pakistan team is.

 

[Abdullah]

I agree with Mickey. What did we expect before the tour started?
The way the youngsters played has to be hearting.
Our atg bats struggled in these tours, and this was the first time for most of them.
The older lot in fact let us down but they will be gone soon

 

[gazza619]

I agree with Mickey. What did we expect before the tour started?
The way the youngsters played has to be hearting.
Our atg bats struggled in these tours, and this was the first time for most of them.
The older lot in fact let us down but they will be gone soon

Just wish we had tried Shan in ODIs. What a waste making him sit out.

 

[MenInG]

Mickey Arthur speaking on TV:

"Its so nice to have a little bit of a break after international stuff and coming here and relaxing a bit and also working with some other young Pakistan players and gives me an opportunity to see the Generation Next if you like"

"I think we have 20 guys for 15 places [for the World Cup squad],so the PSL becomes important for those final 5 places"

"The PSL throws up young players all the time, and we are hoping that a couple put their hands up in this competition"

"Wasim Akram's been amazing, he's such a lovely man and a lovely character and the boys absolutely adore him"

"Just sitting and talking cricket with him has been amazing and I have thoroughly enjoyed it and he has got so much to offer us which is great"

"For us to have that final in Karachi will be absolutely mayhem"