PCB to review Pakistan World Cup show to hand out fresh contracts

Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur, whose three-year contract ended with the World Cup, met with PCB chairman Ehsan Mani and managing director Wasim Khan in London this week for feedback.

Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur sharing a light moment with players at the Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales.

 

Dismissing media reports that head coach Mickey Arthur has been given a one-year extension, PCB chairman Ehsan Mani has said that decisions on support staff and captaincy will be taken only after a thorough review of team’s performance in the last three years.

It has been reported that Arthur has been given extension because of next year’s Asia Cup and World T20 Cup events.

“It is a wrong impression that I discussed giving Mickey Arthur a one-year extension when we met in London. Only the team’s performance was discussed in the meeting,” Mani said.

The PCB chief said the support staff of the national team was appointed by the previous chairman and when he took over last year he decided to let the management continue since there was little time left for the World Cup.

“We will take decisions for the next four years and that includes the captaincy and coach and we will press no panic button but will carry out a thorough exercise to review the team’s performances in last three years,” Mani told a website.

Mani said the Pakistani players need to become mentally stronger and the board would work on this aspect.

He said there were expectations that Pakistan would play the semifinals of the World Cup but the side performed below par against West Indies, Australia and India.

“But what is good, is that the team fought back in the last four matches and showed it is capable of beating any side in the world,” he said.

Insiders say that since Pakistan’s next international assignment is in September, the board will take time to make future-oriented decisions.

According to reports, Arthur needs to apply afresh for the coaching job if not given an extension.

"Arthur was told that the PCB’s Cricket Committee will be carrying out a robust appraisal of the team’s performances in the last three years including the World Cup and if he (Arthur) was interested in continuing to work with the team he should apply afresh for the post of head coach," a PCB source revealed.