Mickey Arthur, the director of the Pakistan cricket team, came to the defense of the players and management, labeling the criticism aimed at skipper Babar Azam and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq as “unjust.”
Speaking in a post-match press conference after the game against South Africa, Arthur expressed dismay at the blame game emerging in response to Pakistan’s poor performance in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. With four consecutive losses out of six matches in the tournament, the team’s recent performance has puzzled fans and experts alike.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had distanced itself from the selection matters, stating that both Captain Babar Azam and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq had been given autonomy and support in forming the squad for the tournament.
In response to the criticism, Arthur defended the players and the management team, urging against initiating a “witch hunt.” While acknowledging the team’s underperformance, he also recognized the need for improvement, especially in batting and bowling.
Despite the disappointment, Arthur expressed pride in the team’s efforts and remained cautiously optimistic about their prospects for reaching the semi-finals. He highlighted the importance of converting good starts into substantial scores and emphasized the need for the team to address its weaknesses and finish the tournament with a strong performance.
