We were under par in terms of the runs that we had: Arthur

Pakistan came into the World Cup with full preparedness, and even though the results in the Asia Cup were far from satisfactory, they proclaimed to take home their second World Cup. But the performance on the field has been anything but that. 

No batter has arrived yet, or least of all, the bowlers, Pakistan’s biggest assets, failed to put up even one inspiring performance. Against South Africa, Pakistan ran close, but their score was not enough on a decent Chennai pitch to stop Temba Bavuma’s men from winning their fifth game.

“To be brutally honest, we haven't put together the perfect game yet,” Pakistan mentor Mickey Arthur said in the post-match press conference. “I don't think we've batted well enough yet as a unit. Yeah, I think that pitch, certainly par on that pitch, is 300 at least. So, we haven't put together enough runs. And then we haven't put together a bowling performance that goes with it. 

“So tonight, I thought, was our best bowling performance of the competition. Thought we bowled really well, but I still thought we were under par in terms of the runs that we had. We haven't put the perfect game together yet. Hasn't been for lack of effort, hasn't been for lack of trying, but we just haven't got enough players in form at the minute, particularly with the bat.”

According to Arthur, there was no concern around the discussion and the way players prepare for big events but added that lack of assurances from in-form players has cost them big-time this World Cup. As a matter of fact, with only two wins from six matches, Pakistan are looking at outside chances to qualify for the semi-finals.

“At a World Cup, you've got to be playing your best game at the at the right time. Our form had sort of drifted off a little bit. And there's various [reasons]. We talk about it every day as to what it could have been. But our form kind of drifted off. And again, we haven't put the perfect games together. 

“We've batted well, we haven't bowled well. I do think our fielding standards have been average. So, there's a lot of work that we need to put in to manage and get to the standards required to win a World Cup. But those are the things we talk about every day. Those are the things when we go to the training ground, we train every day. We want to work to world-class standards, which we do in terms of our preparation. Again, form just hasn't allowed us an opportunity to put the perfect game together.”

Before the match, the Pakistan Cricket Board put up a press release stating the team’s performance would be assessed after the World Cup. It kind of directed towards skipper Babar Azam and selector Inzamam Ul Haq, but Arthur said it is unfair to blame anybody in the current situation.

“They're going to be blaming everybody, don't worry. It's just the way of the world. Yeah, look, it's unfair. It's really unfair to start a witch hunt, certainly on Babar Azam, on Inzi, on our coaches, on the management team. What I do know is the boys have tried and the effort of the coaching staff, the effort of the players has been first-class. If they would see that the amount of effort that the players and staff put in, they would be amazed,” Arthur added.