‘We are playing a brand we call it the ‘Pakistan way’ ‘ – Pakistan cricket official sends out strong message for ODI World Cup 2023

Mickey Arthur who is enthused by witnessing players he initially coached in 2016 mature, rejoined Pakistan as director of cricket in April. Focused on revamping their style, he introduced a batting approach akin to England’s “Bazball,” aiming for Test success. Convincing players to adopt this strategy posed a challenge, requiring commitment in high-pressure situations. Yet, results show progress, with Pakistan boasting the best win-loss ratio among all teams since the 2019 World Cup. Arthur’s excitement stems from the evolution of young talents and the positive impact of strategic changes, reflecting in the team’s recent success.

“I think our bowling attack is up there as one of the best. And with runs on the board, our bowlers can generally defend that. You watch the likes of England and Australia playing this brand of cricket, ours will also follow that. There’s no doubt. They’re good enough to do that, but we are playing a brand that, we call it the ‘Pakistan way’. We are playing a brand that is very, very particular to Pakistan and suits our team, our team dynamic. That’s the brand that we are going play and hopefully win the World Cup with.” Arthur said ahead of Pakistan’s first match.

I wholeheartedly back Shadab: Arthur

Shadab Khan’s bowling struggles, marked by a lack of control and boundary leaks, pose concerns despite the team’s current composure. His performance, especially since the Asia Cup where four of his six wickets were against Nepal, has been underwhelming. However, coaches, including Arthur, afford him leniency due to his potential X-factor with the bat.

In contrast to other teams boasting spin match-winners, Nawaz plays a more conservative, holding role. Shadab’s pivotal role in the Afghanistan game, contributing to a one-wicket victory alongside Naseem’s heroics, showcased his potential beyond bowling woes. The team appears tolerant, banking on his multifaceted contributions.

“I wholeheartedly back Shadab. He’s a wonderful cricketer. You look at his package of bowling, batting, fielding, it’s exceptional. If we look at his bowling in isolation, he’s just short of a little confidence. He hasn’t lost his ability to turn the ball. His googly is still very, very good. He’s one performance away from getting that confidence back and making sure that he has a real big influence on this World Cup. So I’d like that to come tomorrow [against Netherlands], but I’m not worried about Shadab because I know he’s a quality player,” Micky Arthur concluded.