Intense security scrutiny has been quite stifling: Arthur

Prior to the tournament, all eyes were fixated on the Pakistan cricket team. The political tensions between the host nation - India and Pakistan - played a huge role in the focus being on Babar Azam and co. 

While they were welcomed in the most pleasant manner in Hyderabad, where there were several thousands flocked at the airport to catch a glimpse of their favourite superstars, they have had to live with tight security round the clock. 

Pakistan’s Team Director Mickey Arthur reckoned that the intense security has been quite stifling and insisted that it has been tough to cope with it. 

“As a Pakistan team, we play a hell of a lot of cricket. So being on the road is nothing new for these guys. What has been tough is the fact that we've been under a massive amount of security. So, I've sort of taken it back,” Arthur said before Pakistan’s must-win clash against New Zealand. 

“And to be fair, I found it difficult. It's almost like we've been back in the COVID times, where you were almost secluded to your floor and your team room. So much so that their breakfast is in a separate room to everybody else. So, it's almost, that's been the tough aspect,” he added. 

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But at the same time, Arthur insisted that being on the road isn’t a tough ‘gig’ for the national team but stated that the lack of accessibility to places has been a grave concern. 

“The aspect about being on the road is, our boys are used to it. But when they're on the road, they've still been able to get out and go and have meals, etc., at different places, and get out on their own accord where we haven't been able to do this time. And that's been tough. That has been quite stifling,” he added.

On the cricketing front, however, Arthur was upfront about Pakistan’s campaign thus far, stating that they haven’t played to their ‘full potential’ thus far in the tournament. 

“Every game we go into, we want to win. And I'll be brutally honest, I don't think we've played to our full potential this tournament yet. I thought the Bangladesh game is the first game where we actually put a complete game together,” Arthur said. 

“We batted beautifully, bowled beautifully, and fielded beautifully, which in all the other games, we've done one or two disciplines OK, but our other disciplines let us down. So, I'd like to say we're peaking, but the preparation of the guys and the attitude of the guys' will to get better every day, that has been exceptional,” he had to add. 

Refreshingly, the former South African coach also added that the team has really embraced playing at iconic venues in India, having watched a lot of Indian Premier League (IPL) games on television. 

“The players have really embraced that and they've enjoyed that fact because they've watched IPL on TV and they've seen test matches at iconic grounds like Eden Gardens, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai. So, for them to play it, it's been really exciting for them,” Arthur said. 

But Pakistan find themselves in a spot of bother concerning the lack of form with their spinners. Shadab Khan, who had to walk off the field with a concussion against South Africa, is touch and go for the clash against New Zealand on Saturday (November 4). 

“The latest update is Shadab went through a preliminary test today, which you've got to do as per medical protocol. He came through that OK, but we're in no position yet to make a decision on him. Concussion is a really important injury, and we've got to be 100% sure before we make a decision. No decision has been made on him at the minute,” Arthur on Shadab. 

Are Pakistan prepared for the clash against New Zealand in Bangalore? Arthur reckons so, adding that they have thoroughly prepared themselves, including factoring in all the conditions of the venue, with a lot of research work. 

“Yeah, we've looked through all the stats on the ground for day games. We've factored that into our equation. We've looked at- is it spin favourable, is it pace bowler favourable, what's the mean score. So, we've done a hell of a lot of research into this venue for day games because a lot of the research you get is at night. We've done it for day games, and we've tried to mould a game plan around that.”