Pakistan’s chances of winning the World Cup
Pakistan’s chances of winning the ICC World Cup later this year have been given a boost as former head coach Mickey Arthur has recommended that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) retain Babar Azam as skipper. The new national team director believes that the Green Shirts can win the mega event under Babar’s captaincy.
Arthur, who recently landed in Islamabad to sign his contract as national team director, met with the PCB management committee chairman Najam Sethi, chief selector Haroon Rashid, and Babar. During his meeting with Sethi, Arthur made it clear that there is no potential option to replace Babar as captain immediately, and that the current team has several match-winners, they just need proper guidance.
Arthur’s recommendation to retain Babar as captain comes as no surprise, as he believed in Babar’s potential as a Test player despite all the criticism during his previous stint with the team. He said that the team has the capability to win the World Cup under Babar’s leadership, provided that the team is properly guided.
In his new role as director of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, Arthur will be involved in designing, formulating, and overseeing strategies behind the team’s performances. He will also be a part of the coaching staff for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, away tour to Australia, home series against the West Indies, and will also be present with the side for Pakistan’s matches against India in the ACC Asia Cup.
Arthur’s experience with the Pakistan team from 2016 to 2019 was highly successful, as he coached Pakistan to No.1 in Tests and T20Is, and helped the side to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. Arthur’s recommendation to retain Babar as captain suggests that he believes Babar has the potential to replicate that success in the World Cup later this year.
Babar Azam has been a prolific performer for Pakistan in all formats of the game, and his leadership skills have also been praised by many former cricketers. He has a tremendous record as captain, having won 14 of the 21 T20Is he has led Pakistan in. He has also led Pakistan in four ODIs, winning three of them.
Under Babar’s captaincy, Pakistan has shown tremendous improvement in recent times, and many experts believe that the team is capable of beating any opposition on their day. The recent series win against South Africa in both Test and T20I formats, and the historic win against India in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017, are a testament to the team’s capabilities.
Babar’s leadership skills have also been praised by his teammates, who have spoken highly of his ability to remain calm under pressure and to make smart decisions on the field. His performances with the bat have also been outstanding, as he has been consistently scoring runs across all formats of the game.
With the World Cup just a few months away, Pakistan will need to ensure that they have a well-balanced team that can perform well in all departments of the game. The team will need to have a strong batting line-up, with Babar leading the charge, and a bowling attack that can take wickets in crucial moments of the game.
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Pakistan’s recent performances have been impressive, and if they can continue to build on their strengths and work on their weaknesses, they will certainly be a team to watch out for in the World Cup. With Babar’s leadership skills and Mickey Arthur’s guidance, Pakistan can certainly win the mega event and bring glory to the nation.
The recommendation of Mickey Arthur to retain Babar Azam as captain till the upcoming ICC World Cup is a positive sign for the Pakistan cricket team. Babar has proved his mettle as a leader and has been an instrumental captain.