Riaz reveals Mickey's 'fearless' approach

Barnaby Read 18:48 26/09/2016
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  • Fearless: Mickey Arthur

    Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur has instilled a “fearless” approach to their one-day play, elevating it in the direction of modern requirements, according to fast bowler Wahab Riaz.

    Since Arthur took charge of the team, they secured a drawn Test series in England that made them world number one for the first time in their history but those heights were reached without a great deal of Arthur’s influence.

    Predecessor Waqar Younis and evergreen captain Misbah-ul-Haq had already made the side a force in Test cricket before Arthur stepped into the role.

    However, in the four months since Arthur replaced Waqar, the one-day side has been in complete transformation.

    The South African has placed an added emphasis on fitness and fielding, while attempting to alleviate the stresses associated with failure for one of the world’s most scrutinised team.

    And Wahab believes the team is reaping the benefits of their new found belief.

    “We know the kind of cricket we are playing, we are still behind other teams but what he started to bring in is a kind of confidence and that kind of fearlessness that our batters take the bowlers on and our bowlers take the batters on,” Wahab told Sport360.

    “We feel that we shouldn’t be afraid of underperforming, we should go and give our best regardless of results and whether it is a positive or negative.

    “What [Arthur] requires is the effort, which I would say is the main thing he has brought. He’s talking to the guys about what sort of roles they have to perform and they don’t have to worry about anything else. I think that’s the big difference.

    “It’s a fearlessness because we were always thinking in the back of our mind whether we would be playing the next game or not. Mickey has tried to communicate with his players and he’s taken the fear out of it.”

    For an example of the ‘New Pakistan’, you need only take one glance at the Pakistan outfit unceremoniously dumped out of the World T20 in April compared to the one rampant in victory over the West Indies this past weekend.

    In the Dubai double header, Pakistan were uncompromising against a side with glaring deficiencies during a transition period of their own but still one of the most dangerous outfits on the international circuit.

    Captain Sarfraz Ahmed was a constant rallying call with his movement, encouragement and positivity.
    It was something taken on board by his troops, minus the distractions and splits in the squad that have troubled Pakistan for so many years.

    And the infighting was something Pakistan’s players have been conscious off for some time, as Wahab admits.

    “There’s a different kind of belief,” added Wahab. “I think it’s a big thing and something really missing from the Pakistan team for a very long time. But now we will see how this team is supporting each other and trying to perform for each and everyone.

    “[Arthur] knows what he wants and what he wants out of his team. That can be a statement that picks up the players. I think that was a positive thing that he did because all of the players are focused on doing well and they know that if they give 100% then he will back you up.”

    In the aftermath of that disastrous World T20, Pakistan were forced to come to terms with a version of 50-over and T20 cricket that was leaving them for dead.

    New leadership in the guise of Arthur and Sarfraz was sought, legendary batsman Inzaman-ul-Haq drafted in as chief selector.

    They looked to integrate new and reintegrate axed players for the shorter formats and Wahab believes that Arthur & co are now starting to get the formula right.

    “I think we have seen a glimpse in the last ODI and T20I [in England] how we should play this game, how we should take on the other team and that should give confidence to the team,” said the 31-year-old.

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