Follow
WhatsApp

Najam Sethi breaks silence over Mickey Arthur performance

Najam Sethi breaks silence over Mickey Arthur performance

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has heapedpraise on Mickey Arthur, saying that they are absolutely satisfied with thehead coach`s performance and that the Men in Green are doing pretty wellunder him.

Arthur was initially contracted in May 2016 to serve for up to two years.However, the PCB had extended his contract as Pakistan head coach till the2019 World Cup in October last year.

When quizzed if they are looking to extend the South African`s contractbeyond the showpiece event, Sethi said that that though they are delightedwith Arthur`s performance, the decision to continue rest in his hands.

“I suppose you need to ask Mickey if he wishes to extend his stay with us,as this not something one side can decide. I think Mickey is having a goodride and the entire team is doing well in his tenure.

One of the coaches is leaving and I am not sure if we will fill thatposition or one of the existing coaches will take up that position; we willwait to see what Mickey has to say and what he recommends,” Pakpassion.netquoted Arthur, as saying.

While batting coach Grant Flower has been associated with the team since2014, bowling coach Azhar Mahmood was roped in for the role soon afterArthur`s appointment.

However, fielding coach Steve Rixon recently decided to step down from hisposition after the two T20 internationals against Scotland next week as heis apparently unhappy with the PCB.

Sethi revealed that he has had a discussion with Arthur regarding hiscontract, but he is currently focusing on guiding Pakistan to World Cupglory for the first time since 1992.

“But as far as Mickey`s contract is concerned, he told me that Sethi, I amhere, and I am taking this team all the way to the World Cup.

Then we will cross that bridge when we come to it and I think let`s leaveit at that for now,” he said.

The PCB chief further said that the players are responding quite well toArthur`s techniques and that the relationship between head coach, captain,and national selectors is too good.

“We are very delighted with Mickey`s performance and also the fact that theboys respond well to him.

But I must point out that there is also a very good working relationshipbetween the Head Coach, Captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq and the selectors.

And let us not forget the selectors as without their support and everybodybeing on the same page, this team would not have gelled,” Sethi said.

Pakistan are slated to play two T20Is against Scotland on June 12 and June13 before they head into T20I tri-series featuring Zimbabwe and Australia,beginning July1 at the Harare Sports Club.