'That's a dangerous place to be in...' - Former Pakistan Head Coach Micky Arthur reflects on state of Pakistan cricket

Following a disappointing showing in the ODI World Cup, Babar Azam resigned from his role as the team's captain. The PCB subsequently appointed Shaheen Shah Afridi as the new T20I captain, while Shan Masood assumed the same responsibility for Test cricket. However, despite these changes, Pakistan's fortunes remained unchanged as they suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat against Australia in Test cricket and a 4-1 loss to New Zealand in the five-match T20I series.

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Citing this, the former head coach Micky Arthur has discussed the team's recent challenges in international cricket, who was with the squad during the World Cup in India, highlighted that players exhibit different behavior in situations of insecurity. He noted that when a player's position in the team is assured, the atmosphere remains positive, but it shifts when there are doubts. Arthur emphasized the abundance of talent in the country but pointed out the need for more support from the management.

“When there's security within the environment, Pakistan is very good. When there's that insecurity, players start playing for themselves instead of the team because they're thinking of the next tour, and the next contract. That's a dangerous place to be in, and that's kind of where Pakistan cricket is now. And that's something that's very disappointing and sad for me. There's a massive amount of talent there, there are some world-class players, not just talented players. They're not given the support structure that they need to flourish,” Arthur told ESPNcricinfo.

I think Pakistan cricket is in a very disappointing place: Arthur

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Arthur stated that he would continue to keep tabs on Pakistan cricket despite no longer serving as the head coach following the World Cup. However, he described his current relationship with Pakistan cricket as bittersweet, acknowledging that the country is currently in a very disappointing position. With Shan Masood and Shaheen Shah Afridi at the helm of decision making one can even understand the things might change in Pakistan Cricket. 

“I still follow Pakistan cricket and I'll always follow it. But the vigour and thirst and passion I have for Pakistan cricket waned a little bit after that. To be brutally honest, I think Pakistan cricket is in a very disappointing place,” he concluded.