ISLAMABAD: Mickey Arthur, the Pakistan men’s cricket team director, has recommended that Babar Azam should remain as the skipper of the team until the ICC World Cup, scheduled to be played in India in October-November this year.
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 said that there is no potential option to replace Babar as captain immediately, and that the Pakistan cricket team has the capability to win the World Cup under his leadership.
Mickey Arthur believes current Pakistan team has several match-winners
Arthur also expressed his belief that the current team has several match-winners and they just need proper guidance.
In his director role, Arthur will be involved in formulating, designing, and overseeing strategies behind the Pakistan men’s cricket team.
Arthur will also be a part of the coaching staff for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, away tour to Australia, home series against the West Indies, and will be present with the side for Pakistan’s matches against India in the ACC Asia Cup.
During his previous stint as head coach from 2016 to 2019, Mickey Arthur coached Pakistan to No.1 in Tests and T20Is, and also helped the green side to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
Arthur had believed in Babar as a Test player despite all the criticism during his previous stint with the Pakistan team.
The recommendation by Arthur to retain Babar as captain comes after Pakistan lost a T20 series to South Africa in April, and is set to face England in a three-match ODI series next month.
The PCB had recently appointed Grant Bradburn as the fielding coach of the team, and rumors have been circulating that the board is considering appointing a new head coach for the team.
