Mickey Arthur, the seasoned cricketing mentor, finds himself invigorated by the prospect of witnessing the transformation of the young talents he first nurtured back in 2016 into formidable men of stature. In his capacity as the director of cricket for the Pakistan team, a role he resumed in April this year, Arthur embarked on a mission to redefine the team’s playing style.
The art of cricketing reinvention is afoot in Pakistan, as they unveil their interpretation of “Bazball,” a style that England has wielded with remarkable success in Test cricket. Under the South African coach, the Men in Green are set to embrace an ultra-aggressive approach, drawing inspiration from their World Cup rivals while adding their unique Pakistani flair to it.
The 55-year old’s vision, shared just ahead of their World Cup opener against the Netherlands in Hyderabad, resounds with confidence. He envisions the 1992 champions clinching a second title by adopting a brand of cricket akin to the swashbuckling styles seen from the likes of England and Australia.
“The players have embraced it. It’s going to take a little bit of time, but I always say there’s always two ways to skin a cat. There’s no doubt about that. They’re good enough to do that. But we’re playing a brand that we call the Pakistan way. We’re playing a brand that’s very particular to Pakistan and suits our team dynamic. You watch England and Australia playing this brand of cricket. Our guys will follow that,” Arthur was quoted as saying by the New Indian Express.
Mickey Arthur and Pakistan’s meteoric rise in the cricket world
Arthur’s commitment to the cause extends beyond the World Cup, as he gears up to lend his expertise to Pakistan’s upcoming series against Australia (December 2023) and West Indies (February 2024). His presence will be particularly anticipated during the clash against arch-rivals India at the World Cup 2023.
The former head coach of Derbyshire, whose previous stint with Pakistan (2016-2019) witnessed a meteoric rise in rankings and a triumphant Champions Trophy campaign in 2017, opted for a renewed challenge with Derbyshire, turning down a return to the head coach role in January 2023 by committing to a long-term contract extension with the county side.