Pakistan’s team director Mickey Arthur insisted he was ready to face themusic after Pakistan’s World Cup campaign ended with a 93-run defeatagainst England in Kolkata on Saturday.
It was the second successive World Cup where they missed out on asemi-final spot by finishing in fifth place in the 10-nation table.
The 2019 debacle led to the end of Arthur’s first spell as head coach.
“Look, I’ll just go back to the Peak District in Derbyshire, I’ll be reallyhappy and that’ll be okay,” said Arthur after overseeing a campaign whichbrought four wins and five losses, including a defeat to Afghanistan.
Arthur did not sever his ties with Derbyshire and only joined up with thePakistan team once the English county season was over.
That was an arrangement severely criticised by some former Pakistan playerswho described Arthur’s job as “coaching on Zoom”.
Arthur admitted that 1992 champions Pakistan simply did not play wellenough.
“We finished fifth, and fifth is where we deserve to finish with thecricket that we’ve played over the last six weeks,” said Arthur.
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“Inconsistency, unfortunately, doesn’t breed success. But that is no excuseat all.”
He added: “I came in to do this directive job, obviously in conjunctionwith Derbyshire because I care a hell of a lot for that dressing room.Pakistan cricket is very close to my heart.”
With Pakistan out of the race for the last four, New Zealand will now meetundefeated India in the first semi-final in Mumbai on November 15.
Australia face South Africa in the second semi-final in Kolkata a day later.
“I really believe the best four teams in the competition are now playingthe semi-finals,” admitted Arthur.
Arthur also backed under-fire skipper Babar Azam to stay in the role.-APP/AFP