According to Mickey Arthur, discipline is the most important factor for the team to succeed and he does not intend on compromising one bit when it comes to that element.
“I will be tough on discipline and that’s the way we can get better and better results,” he was quoted as saying. “I want everybody to start playing for the team and I don’t want any selfish players around.
Arthur stated that Pakistan’s strong area was bowling but much needed to be done about batting, fitness and fielding.
“Our bowling is good, but we need to lift our batting massively. I will also be tough on fielding and fitness and need players who can play long-term, and these issues are non-negotiable,” he said.
His first couple of assignments could not be tougher, since Pakistan take on England this summer and Australia in December. New Zealand and West Indies will visit in between.
Mickey Arthur knew that his players would find it difficult to perform well in those conditions but he remained firm that ‘we will go to win’.
“I know everything about the job, but what I know more is that there is huge passion (for) cricket and there is enormous talent in Pakistan and I think if we can get proper structure in place then we can really get this team far away,” he said.
The 47-year old had a successful run with South Africa when he coached the team from 2005-2010 and then went on to coach the Aussies from 2011-2013. When he took over as the coach of the Proteas, the South African cricket team was placed at number three among test-playing nations and was placed at number six in the ODI rankings. Four years later, Mickey had coached South Africa to the top ranking in both formats of the game.
In 2011, he was appointed as coach of Australia and did well for the team, who won 10 out of their 19 test matches. However, internal conflicts due to his rigid demeanor, led to his ouster after a series loss in 2012-2013 to India, where the famous homework saga also took place.
Mickey has had a taste of interacting with Pakistani players, since he had been selected as coach of the Karachi Kings team in the recently-held Pakistan Super League.
Mickey has now been handed the reins of team Pakistan, who are reeling at number seven in the World T20 rankings and are placed at number 9 in the ODI rankings. Mickey’s predecessor , former Pakistani fast bowler Waqar Younis, resigned last month amid growing pressure on him after Pakistan’s dismal performance at the recent ICC World T20.
