World Cup 2019: Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur shows sympathy for the poor Proteas

It is quite safe to say that the current South African team has been the shadow of what it used to be. They have endured a disastrous World Cup campaign so far, and a loss to Pakistan was the final blow to their already diminishing hopes of making it last 4. They have been found wanting in every department, and the controversy over AB de villiers’ selection has further added misery to their woes. With just a single win to show from seven games, they sit on the ninth spot on the points table.

The team has never really got going. They have failed to capitalize on the key moments and pounce upon the opportunities. The past few weeks have brought sheer disappointment for every South African fan, and Pakistan coach Micky Arthur is one of them. His former team South Africa is his second favorite team and watching them succumb like this has provoked deep sympathy inside him.

“I do feel deeply disappointed for them at the moment. It’s a team that’s just a little bit short on confidence. I think now is a time to just try and get behind those boys. They are trying incredibly hard. I know what they are going through. It’s tough.” said the 50-year-old. Arthur feels that the South African team has been down on morale due to back-to-back defeats, something which happens with everyone at some point of time.

At the same time, he showed confidence in the team and said that they would come out hard because of the immense talent that their dressing room possesses. “I had a quick chat to Gibbo (Ottis Gibson, the Proteas coach) after the game. They will be going to training every day, hurting like any other team hurts, and trying to get it right. I’m confident that they can because there’s a hell of a lot of talent in that dressing room.”, said Arthur.

Arthur’s advice to South Africa

Arthur also had a piece of advice for the South African team. He wants the senior players to rise up to the occasion and deliver. “They need KG (Rabada) to run in and knock over three with the new ball early, or Quinny (De Kock) to go in and get a quick 50 just to get it going, and then they will feed off that and that will turn around very, very quickly.” He rested his hopes over Kagiso Rabada and Quinton de Kock to make a comeback, and help South Africa to show what they are.

South Africa is already out of the competition. They have two matches to go and the team will have to play with ‘nothing to lose’ approach in order to gain some respect and give their fans a reason to smile.