Mickey Arthur handed 8 months by Shoaib Akhtar to repair Pakistan cricket

Off the field, Shoaib Akhtar speaks like the way he used to bowl in his prime – cut-throat and no-holds-barred. In an interview with a local television network, the enigmatic pacer has given an ultimatum of only 8 months to Mickey Arthur, the newly appointed Head Coach of the Pakistan team.

Not the one to mince any words, Akhtar expressed his thoughts on whether the South African can help turn Pakistan's fortunes around particularly in limited-overs cricket. While accepting the challenges involved with coaching a highly volatile unit, the former speedster wanted his country’s performances to improve rapidly.

Shoaib declared, “But, I think in eight months time, we will know whether he will make a difference or go like others before him. Because in this period, we play some very important series and either he will reshape the way we play our cricket or decide to bid goodbye.”

Noting Arthur’s reputation of being a strict disciplinarian, the ‘Rawalpindi Express' affirmed, “Arthur has a reputation of being a disciplinarian and innovative coach. And, Pakistan cricket needs both. But, he has to decide when and where to draw the line.”

Despite a slew of tough upcoming tours to England, New Zealand and Australia, Akhtar sounded optimistic about Pakistan's chances. He enthused, “Arthur has all the credentials to change the attitude and mindset of our players – the way they play top cricket. So, I am hopeful.”

Reflecting on PCB’s crackdown on indisciplined players, he revealed, “Only a professional player can decide what is best for him. When I played, there were some undisciplined characters in the team. But, on match days they only focused on cricket and when they went out to play their tried to give their best. That is why our team in those days was so good.”

The 40-year old also backed the exclusion of Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal from a training camp before the England trip. The fast bowler said, “For a long time we have all backed them, appreciated and encouraged their undoubted talent. But while others who started with them have moved on to become top performers for their country, we are yet to see the best from them.”

When asked about Arthur’s statements in 2009 claiming suspicions around Pakistan’s loss during an ODI against the Proteas in Lahore, Akhtar vehemently lambasted those claims.

He asserted, “I played in that match and I took four wickets. I was at the non-strikers end when our wickets fell. We just played badly under pressure. Because if there had been anything fishy going on, believe me I would have dealt with such players myself.”