Pakistan holds a special place in my heart - Mickey Arthur

Mickey Arthur

Sri Lanka Coach Mickey Arthur yesterday said ongoing opponent Pakistan holds a special place in his heart and he is happy to be back in the country where he coached for three years.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) removed Arthur as National Coach after the Cricket World Cup in England in mid-year and gave former Captain Misbah-ul-Haq three responsibilities — Head Coach, Chief Selector and Batting Coach.

“I was so happy that I could be back at the ground to witness Pakistan’s first game at home in 10 years,” Arthur said yesterday.
“That was very special to me because Pakistan holds a really special place in my heart and it’s great that boys have been outstanding.

“I’ve been in contact with the lot of them (players). We always talk, we always have some banters. The three years I had with Pakistan were incredible years, I loved every minute. But now I’m in a different dressing room and we are here to win a Test match in Karachi.”The second and last Test there starts on Thursday.

Arthur was not surprised to see Pakistan’s Babar Azam and debutant Abid Ali scoring centuries at a brisk pace on the last day of the drawn first Test after fast bowler Kasun Rajitha bowled only six overs before pulling up clutching his left hamstring. 

“I know the quality of Babar Azam, he’s unbelievable, and I’ve known Abid, he’s a good player as well,” Arthur said. 

“Look, it was a day two wicket so there was nothing in it but they probably scored a little bit quicker and we just need to control the rate just a little bit more.”

I was so happy that I could be back at the ground to witness Pakistan’s first game at home in 10 years