"We took the game to the opposition and that's how we like to play our cricket" : Mickey Arthur

[idrizzy]

"We took the game to the opposition and that's how we like to play our cricket" : Mickey Arthur

Mickey Arthur speaking to the media:

Pakistan's probable qualification for WC19 : "Yes, it is (a relief) and it has been a focus for us"

"We have played some tough OD series against England and then against Australia and to almost qualify for the WC19 is a huge relief for us"

"But it doesn't stop where we want to take the OD team"

"We need to keep improving all the time and playing with intensity, and keep the freshness so we can put a shape to that 2019 WC"

"The mood in the camp is excellent; If you had a look at us after India game to after the South Africa match, you will see a marked transformation"

"The mood's very very good; we know what's at stake and there is a massive prize at stake for the players"

"Lets hope we can put it together again"

"I believe we were slightly intimidated against India"

"The way we came back against South Africa is the way we trained and the brand of cricket we wanted to play"

"We went about in a very tentative way against India"

"Against SA we expressed ourselves, we chased every ball, we put our bodies on the line and we bowled exceptionally well"

"We took the game to the opposition and that's how we like to play our cricket"

"We cover all bases with our selection so if there is anything in the wicket we will expose that with our seamers"

"We are getting better and better with our fitness; we train every day and work on that and our attitude towards fitness is great"

"Fitness doesn't get you wickets or runs but it gives you a better opportunity of doing that"

"I looked around that dressing room before the game against India, and we didn't believe that we could go out and beat them up and we were slightly intimidated"

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"It was such a contrast to the game against South Africa where we went out and believed in our abilities and ourselves and got it done"

"We had some good and honest conversations about the India game and the good thing is that the players are contributing in those conversations"

"A year ago they didn't but now they are contributing"

"They are taking responsibility and once that happens, that is a massive psychological barrier being broken down"

"We had some mature conversations and the guys responded well and I am proud of them" - talking about UA

"The players know what the standards are and they got to get out there and adhere to them"

"I was incredibly disappointed with Umar Akmal as he didn't tour the West Indies for the same reason"

"I would have thought that in that month he would have gone and done something about it"

"Inzi has bought into what we all want to do and there is no disconnect and we are on the same page"

"The Sri Lankans played exceptionally well against India; they are playing fearless cricket with their batsmen taking the game on and hitting the ball hard"

"They are going to be a tough side to beat and on their day they can beat anybody"

"I am very proud of all these guys and to see them work hard and perform is the best thing that can happen to any coach"

"If you compare Hasan to what he was a year ago, he has developed so that he is fitter, stronger and his skills are developing"

"He is going to be a fine all-round cricketer as he can field, he can bat and he can bowl"

"He stands out as one of the beacons, not only him but Babar Azam and Imad as well; we have some new players coming through and we just have to keep on believing"

 

[MenInG]

Amazing stuff from Mickey - very frank stuff on India game.

 

[ManFan]

No comments on Hafeez?

 

[aniket1911]

The statement have merit, Hasan has picked up his pace.

Also, regarding INDIA match I think it's the mental block which explains there intimidation as oppose to the youthful exuberance they showed in SA match. It's all in the head.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Good by Arthur.

Key is to maintain it.

If we can we can do wonders here.

 

[Syed1]

India we are scared off that is why we perform below our level against them.

South Africa we know they have a mental block if put under pressure and we try to exploit it.

Sri Lanka have been our whipping boys since the dawn of time and the boys will step onto the field with that same confidence. I hope it doesn't turn into over-confidence.

 

[Savak]

Whose responsibility was it to ensure that the players were not intimidated before and during the India match? The team support staff and management and this is where they failed spectacularly, this is what they are being paid to do. Should be fired for this failure

 

[from_da_lost_dim3nsion]

Whose responsibility was it to ensure that the players were not intimidated before and during the India match? The team support staff and management and this is where they failed spectacularly, this is what they are being paid to do. Should be fired for this failure

For real !! .Getting sick of hearing the same damn excuse whenever we lose from India . I mean if every one in Pakistan knows the problem they why not work on it ?Why keep getting killed by the same sword all the damn time ?

 

[Hamza_]

What are his comments on Hafeez and Azhar? He should take a stand.

 

[ExplicitAI]

I remember Misbah saying that his ODI team doesn't have to be afraid against India in the 2015 WC, which obviously suggests that from there and now our team is actually afraid of India when we play them. Really need to get rid of this mental block otherwise we will never beat them in years.

 

[UN talkz]

"Lets hope we can put it together again"

 

[Sports_Psychologist]

What are his comments on Hafeez and Azhar? He should take a stand.

He will after the end of champions trophy..

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

For real !! .Getting sick of hearing the same damn excuse whenever we lose from India . I mean if every one in Pakistan knows the problem they why not work on it ?Why keep getting killed by the same sword all the damn time ?

In the end it's the result of not having confidence in your batting/bowling (especially batting). Till we do not get better players our players will feel inferior when they see the likes of Kohli, Dhoni, Yuvraj, Rohit. These players have been dominating us for the last 10 years.

Unless you got some Mourinho type guy who hurls you up.

 

[Syed1]

What are his comments on Hafeez and Azhar? He should take a stand.

Hafeez is his selection. Azhar is Inzi's selection. You give some you get some. Both men are wrong.

 

[JaDed]

Ab jeetgayo ho to kuch bhi bol lo,semis against England would be real test.

 

[Syed1]

Ab jeetgayo ho to kuch bhi bol lo,semis against England would be real test.

Let us get there first.


Also Pakistan topping the group isn't outside of the realm of possibility.

 

[JaDed]

Let us get there first.


Also Pakistan topping the group isn't outside of the realm of possibility.

Woh thoda zaida hojayega bhai ,also meant w.r.t title of the thread and them taking attack to opposition.

 

[super hitter]

Let us get there first.


Also Pakistan topping the group isn't outside of the realm of possibility.

What if we win the semi's against England and face Bangadesh in the finals? That would be a great match since they'll be all up for to avenge for the Asia Cup Final.

 

[Shaik]

Mr.Arthur, everyone in their sense would prefer to play that way. The question of the hour is, can you play that way on a consistent basis?

You toured England, you did manage to win a match against the most dynamic team.

You toured Australia, you did manage to win a match against the most lethal bowling attack.

Make sure that when you end the tour of CT, you manage to win more than a match. Make sure you be as consistent as the top 5 teams.

Yes, it's not in your hands to get on the field. But, what is the reason to play Azhar and Hafeez. Okay, for Hafeez, you can justify by saying that he could bowl off-spin(senseless reason, to be honest). But in what mind, did u play Azhar? If you say, to see of the new ball, then May Allah help the Pakistan team.

Fakhar was carrying drinks, on the tour of Caribbean. Why didn't you test him, there? Why have Kamran and Shahzad played all 3 ODI's?

Wahab was dropped from the playing 11, on the tour of Caribbean. Yes, you didn't have enough time to select another bowler in the squad for the CT. But, why the hell did Wahab played in the game against India?

Easy said, than done. Nothing against you personally, though.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

So he didnt tell the team today ?

 

[Farhansk]

The news is, Hafeez will come at 6 and Sarfraz at 4...still not sure though, came through a few posts on the media.

That move alone can enhance our chances of reaching 280-310 by 40% approximately.

 

[Sherlock]

And yet we still have Hafeez/Shehzad and Azhar in the side.

Nothing like trying to play a new brand of cricket when you choose those 3 stooges.

 

[Markhor]

Whose responsibility was it to ensure that the players were not intimidated before and during the India match? The team support staff and management and this is where they failed spectacularly, this is what they are being paid to do. Should be fired for this failure

If we fired coaches after every India defeat we wouldn't have many left. They need a psychologist if anything. Bring back Maqbool Babri.

 

[super hitter]

That move alone can enhance our chances of reaching 280-310 by 40% approximately.

Exactly, and lets hope the top 5 bat until the 45th over, which means Imad Wasim and the hitters will automatically be promoted over Hafeez and we might see a powered up finish.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

For 1 year now Mickey is talking about below 30 players but prefer ttf oldies like Wahab and Hafeez. Its pretty evident by now that Haris is a better middle order batsman than Hafeez. Its easy to talk but better would be if he walks the talk.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

The news is, Hafeez will come at 6 and Sarfraz at 4...still not sure though, came through a few posts on the media.

This is against the shaan of Hafeez.

 

[MenInG]

Whose responsibility was it to ensure that the players were not intimidated before and during the India match? The team support staff and management and this is where they failed spectacularly, this is what they are being paid to do. Should be fired for this failure

The team management and staff arent player's baby-sitters. These are grown men not children. The coach basically answered a barrage of questions by reporters and should be applauded for his candid answers and what was done to fix it.

 

[Savak]

The team management and staff arent player's baby-sitters. These are grown men not children. The coach basically answered a barrage of questions by reporters and should be applauded for his candid answers and what was done to fix it.

Actually when they are taking salaries to coach and manage the players, they need to be held accountable as well.

 

[MenInG]

Actually when they are taking salaries to coach and manage the players, they need to be held accountable as well.

He is holding himself accountable by admitting that there was a failure which they fixed. Remember this never happens in Pakistan.

 

[Hamza_]

Why not just drop Azhar and open with Hafeez? Can someone post Azhar's record in last 10 ODIs?

This way we can play Fahim

 

[KyoOne]

Babar has just performed against West Indies, that too in ODI format. Has been a failure everywhere else, including the ongoing CT. He's not a beacon that Mickey assumes him to be

Otherwise good comments