In the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, the Pakistan cricket team faced a series of setbacks attributed to inconsistencies and gaps within their batting and bowling units. The team's subpar performance, resulting in a fifth-place finish, was particularly evident during a challenging phase where they lost four consecutive matches, including a disappointing start against archrivals India.
The turning point came in a crucial match against England, where Pakistan conceded a formidable 337/9 in 50 overs. Two bowlers struggled, each giving away more than 70 runs in their respective 10 overs. In response, the batting lineup could only muster 244 runs, with Agha Salman being the lone half-centurion. The defeat marked the end of their campaign in the tournament.
Mickey Arthur, the Director of Cricket for Pakistan, offered a candid assessment of the team's performance during the post-match press conference. He acknowledged that the team fell short of its best game and emphasized the need for the cricketing standards to elevate, acknowledging that they were "behind the eight ball."
Arthur identified key areas of improvement, particularly in the bowling attack, expressing a sense of missing the contribution of Naseem Shah. He stressed the importance of becoming a 330-350 team consistently, citing the semifinalists as examples of teams achieving this benchmark regularly. Arthur highlighted the need for collective batting contributions rather than relying solely on one or two players.
"Our bowling attack, we get Naseem Shah, I think we miss Naseem Shah. But if you get Naseem Shah, our bowling attack's good. Batting-wise, we have to become a 330-350 team," said Arthur.
"The teams that are doing that and doing that consistently are the teams that are in the semifinal. And I don't think we've done that consistently enough. We do that when Fakhar Zaman comes off and we can't just be relying on one or two players," he added.
Looking forward, Arthur outlined a strategic plan for the team's development. He emphasized the importance of controlling what they can, focusing on player preparation and consistent messaging.
Despite calls for the removal of captain Babar Azam, Arthur extended his full support, emphasizing the necessity of a stable environment for future success.
“We were a real tight-knit unit. I get behind Babar, and Babar is very close to me. He's a young guy that needs to be taken on the journey. He needs to be shown the ropes. He's still learning all the time.” he said.
Arthur acknowledged the tight-knit unit they had formed and expressed confidence in Babar's growth as a captain. He recognized Babar as a fine batsman and urged patience in allowing him to learn and evolve. Arthur viewed mistakes made during the World Cup as part of the learning process and envisioned a bright future for the team, provided they grow and learn from their experiences.
(With agency inputs)
Also Read | World Cup 2023: England Bids Adieu with Convincing 93-Run Triumph Over Pakistan
Also Read | Babar Azam Expresses Determination Towards Unlikely Semi-Final Qualification
