Mickey Arthur: Pakistan going through confidence crisis

Mikey Arthur stressed that the developing Pakistan side is suffering from a “confidence crisis”.

Mickey Arthur felt the loss to India will be a learning curve for the young Pakistani side.

Minutes after India had annihilated Pakistan for the second time in less than a week, it wasn't surprising that head coach Mickey Arthur, entered the press conference enclosure to shield his Pakistan wards.

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Arthur, the eloquent South African, doesn't usually get stunned by the barrage of questions hurled at him. Howsoever prepared he was to face the barrage of questions, he was left in search of words for a while when asked if Sunday night's loss against India in the Asia Cup was the worst Pakistan performance during his tenure. He laughed, took his time but then stressed that the developing Pakistan side is suffering from a “confidence crisis”.

“We’ve got to be realistic here. We were well beaten by a realistically very good Indian cricket team. They didn’t allow us to play. We’re a team that’s developing. I’ve said it all the while. We’ve got Sarfraz (Ahmed) and (Mohammad) Amir with 50-plus caps and (Shoaib) Malik with 200,” Arthur said.

 

“Other than that, the boys are young, they’ll develop from this, they’ll gain strength, they’ll get better and better. These guys are very skilled, good cricketers. Yes, they’re suffering a confidence crisis at the moment, there’s a little bit of fear of failure in the dressing room, there’s a bit of a reality check for exactly where we are as a cricket team. In terms of the worst performance, nine wickets, it’s got to be up there but we’re on a journey, we’ll get better and stronger than this.”

Sunday's results in Super Fours meant Pakistan's next tie against Bangladesh on Wednesday will be a virtual semifinal. Arthur was confident Pakistan can find a way out and set up a final date with India.

“We needed to win two of three, but we just got to keep winning. It’s a semifinal, we got to find a way to dig ourselves out of the hole we find ourselves,” Arthur said. “Against Afghanistan, we were very mature. They’re a very good side in these conditions with their three spinners, we chased exceptionally well.”