In a post-match press conference held in Ahmedabad, Pakistan Cricket Team’s Director Micky Arthur expressed his disappointment after Pakistan’s loss to India in a crucial match. Arthur clarified that the match was not part of an International Cricket Council (ICC) event but was organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as a home event, indicating a relatively lower intensity compared to ICC tournaments.
Arthur candidly stated that Pakistan did not perform well, getting out at 155 runs in response to India’s 191. He acknowledged that the team could have done better, especially on the pitch they were playing on. He praised India’s bowling performance, admitting that they applied significant pressure, making it challenging for Pakistan to respond effectively.
Regarding the team’s strategy, Arthur mentioned that they could have performed better, especially considering their historic victory against India in the 2017 Champions Trophy. He emphasized that every player aimed to play their best in every match. However, he noted that today was an off day for the players, reflecting that they were out of form.
Arthur highlighted the importance of focusing on the upcoming matches. He urged the players not to dwell on this defeat, emphasizing the need to analyze the mistakes made and learn from them. He acknowledged that records from the past only matter in the media and stressed the significance of the ongoing World Cup, where Pakistan has won 2 out of 3 matches.
He also pointed out that the team had entered the field with a target of scoring around 350 runs, but they fell short. Arthur expressed his hope for more resilience and determination from the players in the matches to come. He specifically mentioned the need to trust players like Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, indicating that they would be given more opportunities to prove themselves.
In closing, Arthur acknowledged India as a strong team and stated that Pakistan was looking forward to competing with them in the finals. Despite the defeat, he remained optimistic about the team’s potential, highlighting the importance of a focused mindset and strategic improvements for future matches.
