Mickey Arthur of South Africa has become the new head coach of the Pakistan cricket team. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finally, after much deliberation and amidst speculations, found a foreigner who is willing to take on the toughest challenge in international cricket: imparting traditional coaching to a fractious bunch of talented individuals. Arthur has succeeded former Test captain Waqar Younis, who resigned from the post last month after Pakistan’s disastrous Asia Cup and ICC World Twenty20 campaigns in Bangladesh and India. Arthur was appointed head coach only after former England coach Peter Moores and Australian Stuart Law declined the PCB offer. Perhaps the duo knew that building relationships with volatile Pakistan players and surviving in petty Pakistan cricket politics was like treading on thin ice. At the same time, we should thank former captains Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja for their remarkable output in finding the right coach.
To be a coach of the Pakistan cricket team is not a bed of roses. Pakistan has had four foreign coaches in the past — Richard Pybus (two tenures in 1999 and 2002-03), Bob Woolmer (2004-07), Geoff Lawson (2007-2008) and Dav Whatmore (2012-14) – all of whom, except Woolmer who died in the West Indies, were shown the door unceremoniously. The biggest reason: Pakistani society lacks patience, and mmediate results are demanded. It is interesting that many former Pakistan cricketers and even selected media personnel have started to criticise the PCB for bringing in a foreign coach. This ‘harsh criticism’ shows the typical mentality: people have their own axe to grind and they follow their own petty agendas.
Trashing the PCB, without giving solutions, is a national pastime at the moment. The statements given by Pakistan’s former players in national media are aimed to make people believe that Pakistan cricket has gone to the dogs, and that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. It is ironic these very former players, who once did the country proud by excelling on the field, have been instrumental in blotting the game by either indulging in needless ego tussles or resorting to selfish gains at the game’s expense. It is imperative to understand that a foreign coach is not the problem. The problems in Pakistan cricket are its eccentric, egoistic, self-centered, indisciplined and unprofessional players and the very weak PCB, which is too scared to take strong steps.
Cricket coaching in the world has changed tremendously over the years. But in Pakistan we love to live in the past. Building a strong team is not an overnight process and it takes years to put together a balanced side keeping in view the modern approach to competitive international cricket, and the exacting scientific preparations that the international teams now favour. It must be understood that Pakistani coaches do not have the required knowledge of the modern game. They fail to inculcate spirit among players and enable them to discover and enhance their strong areas. Outdated and dictatorial coaching methods can not take Pakistan forward.
Arthur will take charge ahead of the England tour, where Pakistan plays four Tests, five one-day and a Twenty20 international matches between July 14-September 7. They also play three Tests and six one-day in Australia starting in December. In between they will face New Zealand and world T20 champions, the West Indies. The two series against top tier teams, England and Australia, on their home turf will be ‘the real test’ for the South African coach.
The team needs rationally thinking, smart, head coach with modern tactics to turn things around in Pakistan cricket. And Arthur is the right choice under the present circumstances. He has an outstanding coaching record and led South Africa to world number one rankings across all formats. It is hoped that Arthur would be able to transform Pakistani players into thinking and text-book cricketers. For Arthur to succeed, Pakistan must support the new coach. Welcome aboard, Arthur.*