'Players are in check...': Ex-cricketer on likely appointment of Mickey Arthur as Pakistan's online coach

There is always plenty happening in Pakistan cricket. In late 2022, Ramiz Raja was sacked as Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) chairman as Najam Sethi once again took over the post. Shahid Afridi acted as the interim chief selector before Haroon Rashid succeeded him. With Saqlain Mushtaq's tenure getting over as the head coach, there have been lots of talk regarding who will succeed the former spinner. While there were speculations of Justin Langer getting the role, the reports fizzled out sooner than later as Mickey Arthur's name started doing the rounds.

Arthur is currently serving a long-term deal with Derbyshire and isn't willing to end his County stint. Nonetheless, reportedly he was offered the role of Pakistan's head coach -- which he had served from 2016-2019 -- and is likely to become Pakistan's first online coach as PCB are keen to rehire him. Amid all this, a lot has been said and written about PCB looking set to reappoint Arthur in the Pakistan cricket setup.Sikander Bakht, Pakistan's former batter who represented the national side in 26 Tests, has joined the bandwagon and stated that Arthur might join as team director. In addition, he made a big claim over foreign coach's presence inPakistan team setup.

'Do you think any of these can tell anything to Babar, Shadab, Shaheen?'

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“I was with the Pakistan team as assistant coach from 2000-2003. The guy who was above me hadn't played a single ODI, but everyone listened to him. He was a South African, I don't remember his name. Once, I tried to tell something to one of the players but he interrupted me, saying ‘I’ve played 40 Tests, you've played 26. Let me handle it'. He actually said that. Do you think any of these can tell anything to Babar, Shadab, Shaheen? If someone comes up and tells them anything, they will…” Bakht said before he was interrupted by the anchors onGeo Super.

When one of the anchor interrupted and asked if there's a need for a person who ensures everyone listens to them, Bakht replied saying, "Foreign coach ke saath ye log (players) sahi rehte hain. Vo angrez rehta hai toh ye log uss se darte hain (These players are kept in check with foreign coaches. Because he's a foreigner, they are scared of him). You see, we had Javed Miandad, Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Mohammad Yousuf as coaches. But no one could handle the players,” concluded the former Pakistan cricketer.

Also Read:'It is a slap....': Misbah reacts to Mickey Arthur's likely appointment as Pakistan's first online coach

Recently, former captain and coach Misbah-ul-Haq also reacted to Arthur's likely appointment as the online coach. He didn't mince his words while speaking to ESPNCricinfo, and said, "It is a slap on our cricket system that we are not able to find a high-profile full-time coach. It is a shame that the best ones do not want to come and we insist on having someone who is looking at Pakistan as a second option."In addition, blasted Pakistan's cricket system, and several ex-cricketers, for using their YouTube channels for ratings. "I blame our own system, which is vulnerable enough with so many weak lines for anyone to exploit it. We are to be blamed ourselves that we have disrespected and discredited our own people to make a bad image. The present and former lot do not respect each other, with media and former players using their own YouTube channels for ratings, grossly hitting the credibility and value of our cricket which, as as result, gives an impression that we are not capable," the former right-handed batter further asserted.