ISLAMABAD: Following a second loss against the Afghanistan team in the ongoing T20 series, ex-Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur backed young players — Saim Ayub, Shafique, Abdullah, and Mohammad Haris — who could not perform well.
The Green players faced a disastrous loss against the neighbouring country as left-arm pacer Fazal Haq Farooqi claimed the wickets of Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, both for naught, in the first over, during the second match.
Meanwhile, Haris could score only 15 for nine before being sent to the dugout.
The side’s overall performance in the T20I series has disappointed Pakistani fans and attracted a lot of criticism.
Young cricketers
However, Arthur believes there is no doubt in the talent of the three youngsters cricketers who proved their mettle in league cricket. Still, international cricket comes with different responsibilities and pressures.
“Groom them, give them time, and allow them opportunities to bat with experienced cricket players and they will come through,” Arthur wrote on Twitter.
Saim,Abdullah and Haris have loads of talent but finding out that International cricket brings different pressures and responsibilities to Franchise cricket….groom them,give them time and allow them opportunities to bat with experienced players and they will come through!
— Mickey Arthur (@Mickeyarthurcr1) March 26, 2023
It may be noted that new players have been given a chance in the ongoing three-match series against the Afghanistan cricket team. Pakistani all-rounder Shadab is leading the side in place of Babar Azam, had said: “This series is for our youngster’s players. We tried to give them confidence.”
Following the loss in the first T20 match, Afghanistan’s maiden win against Pakistan international cricket, Shadab had said that players might not sometimes perform due to the nerves of T20 cricket, but we should back them.
He further stated that a player should neither be made a star after just one good performance nor be discarded after one failure.
