Mickey Arthur meets Pakistan women’s team ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur met members of the Pakistan women’s cricket team in Derby on the invitation of mentor Wahab Riaz, offering encouragement ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 while sharing insights on adapting to English conditions.

Arthur spoke to the squad about adjusting quickly to local environments and stressed the importance of executing game plans effectively on the field. He praised the players’ skill level, attitude and commitment during the interaction.

“You have the potential. If you play according to your plans, winning will not be difficult,” Arthur told the players, urging them to remain confident and disciplined throughout the tournament.

Reflecting on Pakistan’s success in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, Arthur highlighted how the side had thrived after adapting well to local conditions. He emphasised that unity and teamwork were central to that triumph.

“The players showed great teamwork, stayed active and energetic, and that is how they achieved victory,” he said.

He further advised the women cricketers to acclimatise to conditions as early as possible before taking the field in order to fully express their abilities. He concluded by wishing the squad success and encouraged them to “fight hard for success” in the upcoming matches.

It is pertinent to mention that Arthur was appointed Pakistan head coach in May 2016 following a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign and went on to guide the team to the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 title, including a 180-run victory over arch-rivals India in the final. 

Under his tenure, Pakistan also reached the number one ranking in both Test and T20I cricket.

His stint ended in August 2019 after Pakistan’s fifth-place finish in the ICC Cricket World Cup group stage. He later returned in a part-time role in April 2023 as Team Director while serving as Head of Cricket at Derbyshire.

Following Pakistan’s group-stage exit from the 2023 World Cup in India, Arthur and members of his coaching staff were reassigned to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore before eventually resigning from PCB roles in January 2024.

For the unversed, Pakistan’s women’s team will begin their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against arch-rivals India on June 14 at Edgbaston, before facing South Africa at the same venue on June 17.

Pakistan squad for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026:

Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan.

Reserves: Amber Kainat, Momina Riasat, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah and Umm-e-Hani.