Misbah questions Arthur’s rehiring

He was disappointed over the fact that Pakistan won’t have a full-time coach

By Web Desk
February 01, 2023
Arthur (L) is likely to be appointed as Pakistan's Team Director — AFP

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has questioned the rehiring of Mickey Arthur as the Men in Green’s Team Director.

According to sources, it has been decided to terminate the position of head coach of the Pakistan cricket team with Arthur joining the side as the director.

However, Arthur won’t be with the Pakistan team on every tour since he will continue working full-time with English county side Derbyshire as well.

Reacting to Arthur’s unique contract, Misbah said that it is disappointing to see that Pakistan won’t have the services of a full-time coach.

"It's a slap on our cricket system that we are not able to find a high-profile full-time coach," Misbah told ESPNcricinfo. "It's a shame that the best ones do not want to come and we insist on having someone who is looking at Pakistan as a second option.”

"I blame our own system, which is vulnerable enough with so many weak lines for anyone to exploit it. We are to be blamed ourselves that we have disrespected and discredited our own people to make a bad image. The present and former lot don't respect each other, with media and former players using their own YouTube channels for ratings, grossly hitting the credibility and value of our cricket which, as a result, gives an impression that we are not capable,” he added.

Arthur was in charge of the Pakistan team for three years in the past as well having taken up the mantle in 2016.

However, the PCB had decided to not renew the contracts of Arthur and his support staff, following the team's fifth-place finish at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019.

Arthur's tenure with the Pakistan side was a mixed one, featuring several highs and lows. Under his tutelage, Pakistan won the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 triumph in England and also rose to the top of the ICC T20I Team Rankings.

Misbah also believes that “players speaking against each other with grudges and talking openly with disdain devalues our community and that becomes the common perception”.

He also insisted that “the game is hardly a subject of objective and constructive discussion” in Pakistan.

“There is no empathy, no respect, and no conducive environment in the cricketing quarter of our country," Misbah concluded. 

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