Despite the significance of Pakistan and India’s marquee match in Ahmedabad on October 15 from the perspectives of their respective fan bases, this match is not the “be-all and end-all” of cricket, as many believe. Mikey Arty
Despite the significance of Pakistan and India’s headline match in Ahmedabad on October 15 from the perspectives of their respective fan bases, Team Director and head coach Mickey Arthur maintains that the match is not the “be all and end all” of cricket. Arthur is aware of the match’s notoriety, but he sees it as simply another opportunity to win or lose two points.
Arthur stated on the Pakistani YouTube channel “Cricket Baaz” that he did not believe Pakistan and India were the most important teams in the World Cup.
“From a fan’s standpoint, one can appreciate the attention it produces and the emotions that accompany it; this is especially true when one considers the feelings and interactions between the two countries. The South African went on to say, “I think it will be about doing well against all teams if you want to win the World Cup.
Arthur was set on reducing the perceived level of tension by claiming, without any evidence, that the burden of pressure would fall on India.
“There will be a lot riding on the Indian team’s performance at the World Cup. He continued, “They are a good side, and their performance will depend on how well they handle the pressure that comes with playing at home.”
Arthur said he was excited about the game as well, but more so to watch how Pakistan performs under pressure.
Australia’s head coach also claimed that Pakistani officials didn’t try to move their team’s match against Afghanistan from Chennai to Bengaluru.
“We did talk about it, but that’s all it was: a talk. Not playing Afghanistan in Chennai wasn’t crucial to our overall strategy. Let’s face it, no one wants to play in Afghanistan. The news that Pakistan had requested a change of venue for their next matches against Afghanistan and Australia, he said, had not gone over well and had given a terrible view of the Pakistan team.
Former Pakistan coach Arthur admitted to the media that he requested Babar Azam be named captain during his tenure as PCB chairman from 2016 to 2019.
When asked if he had spoken up for Babar when speculations circulated about former PCB chairman Najam Sethi and others close to him wanting a change in captaincy, Arthur stated he had spoken to Sethi. He indicated that Babar had evolved well as a leader.
For me, having Babar is a source of great pride. The ways in which he has grown as a leader and as a world-class batter. Everything about ‘The Pakistani Way’ that we believe in now as a fresh approach to cricket centers around Babar. When it comes to how we should be playing cricket at this point, he agrees with me and the rest of the management 100 percent. Arthur claimed that playing “The Pakistani Way” was all about having faith in oneself and working together as a team.
It’s important that everyone knows that Babar has my (and the rest of management’s) full support for any choice he makes and that everyone is willing to have each other’s backs.
And obviously, it’s also about giving it your all out there. Arthur added, “Pakistan has enormous talent, and on its day, it can beat any team, anywhere.”
