In our latest exclusive interview, Mickey Arthur, former head coach of Pakistan and a globally renowned cricket coach, shares his expert insights on Pakistan cricket, the upcoming Champions Trophy, and his unforgettable experiences with the team. With a career spanning South Africa, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, Mickey offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing Pakistan cricket.
By Saj Sadiq (February 17, 2025)
Key topics include:
Pakistan’s chances in the Champions Trophy: Can the current squad deliver another historic win, after sending shock waves across the cricket community with an unexpected title triumph in 2017.
Babar Azam’s batting position: Why moving him to open could be a risky move and why it would be wise to let Babar Azam play at his favorite position in the greater interest of team and his own good.
Pakistan vs India rivalry: The pressure, chaos, and what it takes to win. The drama that engulfs the fans from the sub-continent. An insight into the games of nerves too and what exactly a team requires to claim all the marbles.
Shadab Khan’s absence: Shadab Khan is not part of Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad but he is leading Pakistan Shaheens in the warm-up fixtures ahead of the event. However, some suggest that Agha and Shadab offer all-rounder capabilities
Death bowling concerns: Pakistan's death bowling continues to be a major concern, having conceded 98 runs in the final six overs. Shadab also identified their fielding as a cause for concern after dropped catches on batting-friendly wickets and also said the fast bowlers were struggling as a unit.
Afghanistan as the dark horse: Pakistan began the tournament with wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka before losing to India, Australia and Afghanistan. The last defeat was a major upset as their Asian neighbours won by eight wickets to leave Pakistan fifth in the standings in the CWC 2023.
Reflections on the 2017 Champions Trophy win: Pakistan’s most notable achievement in the ICC Champions Trophy came in 2017 when they won the title by defeating India in the final. This win remains a significant part of Pakistan’s cricket history, adding to the excitement for the 2025 edition.
