Mickey Arthur hopeful of getting extension from as Pakistan coach even if team knocked out

Mickey Arthur is hopeful of continuing as Pakistan head coach even if the team crashes out of the competition at the group stage. Pakistan do not have their fate in their own hands at the moment. They need to win their last outing against Bangladesh to remain in contention for the last four. But that win would not be sufficient for Pakistan to progress ahead. They also need other results to go their way.

Given that Pakistan do not have a good history of backing coaches, an early exit from the tournament might make the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sack Arthur. However, the former South Africa and Australia coach is still hopeful that the board would stick with him. Arthur took charge of Pakistan in 2016 and has enjoyed a mixed journey. The highest point of his coaching stint came in 2017 when Pakistan defied all the odds to win their first-ever Champions Trophy.

But Pakistan cricket has also seen some disappointing moments during Arthur’s coaching stint. They suffered whitewash in New Zealand in ODIs and lost Test series at home against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. In last year’s Asia Cup too, Pakistan had endured a terrible campaign. In 2019 so far, South Africa whitewashed them in Tests before beating them in ODIs and T20Is. Australia and England then whitewashed them in ODIs.

In the ongoing World Cup, Pakistan started the tournament with a heavy 7-wicket loss to West Indies before losing to India and Australia. However, wins over England, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan have kept them in the hunt for the last four. Arthur’s contract, which was extended for another two years after the Champions Trophy triumph, is about to expire this year at the conclusion of the ICC Cricket World Cup. But Arthur is hopeful of getting another extension.

Would love to continue with Pakistan

Mickey Arthur said that he would love to continue his journey with the Pakistan team as he pointed out the ‘really good work’ done during his stint.

“I’d love to continue with PCB, there’s no secret as I have said it a million times. I think there’s going to be a review (after the World Cup). I think there’s been some really good work done over time. Yes, we had some disappointing times and it comes and goes with the cricket. But I think if it does not happen it will disappointing, but we can look back at the three years knowing we’ve made a significant contribution to Pakistan cricket,” Arthur told geo.tv.

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He further said that he has brought a lot of change in Pakistan team’s culture, pointing out at the fitness and fielding of the players. He insisted that the players are now more aware of what to eat and what not no.

“I will start from the change in culture. Certainly, there hasn’t been any comfort zone, fitness and fielding culture has changed a lot. Guys are totally more aware on their diet. I think we’ve changed the team a lot,” Arthur added.