PSL promoting potential future talent for Pakistan cricket, says coach Arthur

SHARJAH: The on-going edition of Pakistan Super League is not only an opportunity for the young players to showcase their talent and learn from senior and experienced oversea players, but it is also providing Pakistan cricket’s think tank with a chance to set their eyes on the potential future talent for Pakistan cricket.

Pakistan’s head coach Micky Arthur, who is also coaching the PSL side Karachi Kings, says that his association with a PSL team is beneficial for his job as Pakistan Cricket’s head coach.

Talking exclusively to geo.tv after Karachi Kings’ victory against Islamabad United in Sharjah on Friday, Micky Arthur also responded to questions raised on his dual role, as coach of Pakistan and Karachi Kings in PSL.

“There were people saying that he (Micky Arthur) is coach of Pakistan and also coaching a PSL side. Well, I say that it is a massive benefit,” he said.

“I am working with young Pakistan player in our squad, I am also seeing all the young talent (in other teams) that Pakistan has. I am happy to see all this talent. It also allows me to familiarise myself with the talent,” he said while explaining the benefits his dual role in Pakistan Cricket.

The former South Africa and Australia coach said he was impressed to see the young talent and he has his eyes set on some of them who can serve Pakistan Cricket in future.

“We have picked really some really good names, guys we going to put into talent squad, guys that we going to work with going forward and guys who have potential to coming into Pakistan at any given time,” he said, but didn’t name any.

He, however, praised Lahore Qalandars’ talent Fakhar Zaman who scored a brilliant 56 off 36 deliveries against Mickey’s Karachi Kings on Thursday and termed him as a real talent.

“Fakhr Zaman is a real talent, there is a lot of good in him and I think that he could potentially develop into a batsman who can play for Pakistan down the line. Hopefully, he gets better and better,” he said of Fakhar Zaman.

“Good thing about him (Fakhar Zaman) that he bowls as well and very good in the field. We are looking for guys who can lift us in the field,” Mickey commented. 

Pakistan’s head coach added that Pakistan Super League is going to help Pakistan Cricket in longer run saying that it can do the same for Pakistan as IPL did for Indian Cricket.

“PSL can do to Pakistan what IPL has done for India. The young talent coming into contact with some wonderful oversee players, they can learn and learn from those guys. So, I am hoping that it will help us produce better help us which will help us in producing a better Pakistan cricket team,” he said.

The next assignment for him is Pakistan’s tour to West Indies and he has already planned pre-tour work for the team ahead of the visit to Caribbean Islands.

“I will straightly go to Lahore (after PSL) and we’ll have a preparatory camp there,” he said.

“I have been with Pakistan Cricket for a year now and I have seen some areas we need to needs to improve and lift ourselves. There will be a lot of emphasis on standards of fielding and fitness level in a couple of weeks of training in Pakistan,” Arthur said.

But for now, he has all his concentration on keeping Karachi Kings’ campaign on track with the momentum it achieved with the win against Islamabad on Friday.

Mickey believes that the win has boosted the morale of the team, adding that the win would bring his team back on track in the second edition of Pakistan Super League.

“Finally something to cheer about,” he said after Karachi’s eight runs win against Islamabad.

 “It has taken a little while, but at least we are on the board now, hopefully, it will give us the momentum to just go strength to strength. One win has given the confidence and bubbles over, we hope to continue from here,” he said.

He, however, expressed his concern over Chris Gayle’s struggling form with the bat.

“Gayle is a specialist batsman, I will be lying if I say that I am not worried about his form, and even Chris is. He is a very determined character I am hoping that he will be back in the tournament,” Micky hoped.