KARACHI:
Former head coach Mickey Arthur wants Pakistan players to remind themselves of the 2017 Champions Trophy final when they lock horns with arch-rivals India in Dubai on Sunday, and says the belief that they can do it again will be the key.
Speaking to Telecom Asia Sport (telecomasia.net) from UK, Arthur said: “I get goosebumps when I recall the memories of Pakistan winning and having such a happy, happy dressing room on that brilliant day at The Oval. Day. Hopefully, Pakistan can do it again today and that would be so fantastic. But for that to come true, their players must believe that they can do it again and beat India to keep hopes of the cricket-mad nation alive.
The seasoned coach went on to add: “It meant massive for me to be in charge of Pakistan in the Champions Trophy in 2017 and winning it has certainly been one of the highlights of my coaching career and one that I will continue to savour for the rest of my life.”
“That final against India was incredible. Right from the start I felt that we were ready for that game. I felt those young boys had no fear, that they were going to just go out there and play.”
Advising the Team Green for today’s match, Arthur said: “The captain Mohammad Rizwan and team management must make sure that the team is ready and hungry to win this game because it’s a must win game and against a formidable Indian side who are one of the favourites.
He admitted that dashing opener Fakhar Zaman’s loss through injury was a massive blow to Pakistan. “Fakhar is a match winner, a game changer,” said Arthur of the opener who hurt his chest muscle in the game against New Zealand and was ruled out of the event. He was replaced by Imam-ul-Haq.
“I loved the way Fakhar Zaman really took on the India bowling in the 2017 final and that put India on the back foot and it was so important that we did that just to calm the nerves in the dressing room. Fakhar and Azhar Ali got us off to a wonderful start,” the ex-coach reminisced.
“We had that spirit, that team spirit. After Fakhar’s hundred, it was just complimented by everybody who came in. Muhammad Hafeez, Shahid Malik, Baba Azam, everybody played beautifully. And then obviously the standout for me was that opening burst of Muhammad Amir.
“Amir was incredible, so someone has to do that Amir thing on today. To get Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and then to get Virat was incredible because that just put India on the back foot and gave us so much confidence as a team. And then we just dominated from there on in. telecomasia.net