The upcoming clash, set for this Friday, is momentous for Pakistan, which started the tournament with a bang by securing victories against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka in Hyderabad. However, the team has since encountered a challenging stretch with three consecutive defeats.
In the face of adversity, Pakistan’s remarkable resilience and ability to stage comebacks have become defining traits of this side. They outlined their name in cricket history with an epic turnaround in Australia last year, reaching the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Notably, Pakistan scripted a fairy-tale victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in England, despite a less than stellar start to their campaign.
Mickey Arthur, the team director, remains hopeful that Pakistan’s World Cup campaign will take another such dramatic turn on Friday.
In a conversation with PCB Digital, he expressed his firm belief in the team’s potential to win the World Cup.
“We said in the change room the other night that we have got six matches to win the World Cup,”
Arthur stated. “We have to get on a streak and win six in a row. We know that as a unit, we know that as a team, we have to make sure we get our strategy 100%. We have to make sure that we get our execution 100%, and if we do that, there is no reason why we cannot win the World Cup.”
Pakistan’s journey in the current World Cup hit a obstacle with an unexpected defeat to Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Prior to that, they faced losses against India and Australia in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru, respectively.
Despite these setbacks, the team has showcased glimpses of brilliance. To secure their spot in the semi-finals, Arthur underlines the necessity for Pakistan to excel in all three aspects of the game.
“I don’t think our skills have been where they’ve needed to be in those last three games, but these players have got the skills. It is up to us as coaches to make sure that we get them firing come Friday by giving them the confidence and the belief that they can turn this around,” Arthur emphasized.
“We have not put a game together yet. We have not played the complete game. It is up to us to delve, to dig, to give advice, to give information and to give the belief that we can put that perfect game together because we know our perfect game is good enough. Our perfect game is good enough to beat anybody.”
As the clock ticks toward the important clash with South Africa, Pakistan’s fans and cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the team’s revival, hoping to witness another memorable chapter in the story of Pakistan’s cricketing achievements.
