Mixed feelings for Arthur as Pakistan bow out of World Cup

Published
219
Pakistan needed to rewrite the record books with the biggest margin of victory in a one-day international. — AFP/File
Pakistan needed to rewrite the record books with the biggest margin of victory in a one-day international. — AFP/File

Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur admitted his side's failed World Cup campaign left him with mixed feeling as they crashed out despite beating Bangladesh by 94 runs on Friday.

To reach the semi-finals, Pakistan needed to rewrite the record books with the biggest margin of victory in a one-day international.

But they came up short as their 315-9 meant Bangladesh had to be bowled out for just eight at Lord's.

That impossible task was quickly put to bed as Bangladesh reached eight runs in the second over, allowing New Zealand to join Australia, India and England into the semi-finals.

Pakistan secured 11 points in nine games, as many as New Zealand scored, but were ousted on an inferior net run-rate.

Arthur, whose contract with Pakistan ends after the tournament, said it was a disappointing conclusion to a campaign that had plenty of highs and lows.

"It hasn't ended as we would have liked to have ended it. It's been a campaign of ifs and buts," Arthur told reporters.

"If we have a look through our first five games and we have a look through our last five, it's a campaign of two halves, which has been disappointing."

Pakistan had just one win, against hosts England, from five games with three defeats, including a loss to arch rivals India, and a no-result.

Inspirational Sarfaraz

They staged a comeback by winning the next four games but still failed to qualify.

Arthur said the task of achieving a huge win against Bangladesh was targeted at the start but became impossible due to the slowness of the pitch.

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a discussion. We won the toss, which was a good start. Getting 400 is a platform. The message we got from Fakhar (Zaman) when he came back in the change room was it was slow and tough to score," Arthur said.

Arthur admitted a seven-wicket defeat against the West Indies in the first game hurt his team badly.

"If we go back, the West Indies game, the first game of the tournament, when you lose like we lost, it's almost impossible to get back on net run rate, that was disappointing," said Arthur.

Arthur labelled his team's wins over semi-finalists England and New Zealand as the main highlights.

"It's nice to sit here and know we've beaten two of those top four teams during our campaign, which shows we are not a mile off in terms of where we are as a cricket team," he said.

Arthur praised Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed for helping the resurgence after being severely criticised for the India defeat.

"I must say that I'd just like to credit the captain, Sarfaraz. What he was exposed to after the Indian game was atrocious as a Pakistan cricket captain, as any captain of any cricket team," he said.

"The way he held his composure, the way he led from the front, the way his work ethic never, ever changed. I think he's been an inspiration to that dressing room, and I think Sarfaraz deserves a lot of credit for this."

Opinion

Editorial

Fixing bond markets
Updated 01 Oct, 2026

Fixing bond markets

Pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds, retail investors, and eventually, foreign investors must become bigger participants in the market.
Call centre rackets
01 Oct, 2026

Call centre rackets

A NUMBER of recent raids conducted by the authorities in different cities point to the growing threat fraudulent ...
Homeward bound
01 Oct, 2026

Homeward bound

FIVE months after Somali pirates captured an oil tanker carrying a 19-member multinational crew, Somali maritime...
Kashmir unresolved
Updated 30 Sep, 2026

Kashmir unresolved

The just solution lies in India addressing the issue through a trilateral dialogue involving the legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan.
Water shortage
30 Sep, 2026

Water shortage

THAT the country is entering the Rabi season with an anticipated water shortage of nearly 25pc, the lowest carryover...
Young hearts
30 Sep, 2026

Young hearts

THE observance may have passed, but the message of World Heart Day should not fade with it. The occasion is a useful...