BENGALURU
\nPakistan\u2019s focus is on both winning the match and improving their net run rate ahead of the crucial ICC Cricket World Cup match against New Zealand, National Cricket Team Director Mickey Arthur has said.
\nOn Friday, Mickey Arthur also hinted at a change in Pakistan\u2019s game plan while talking to the media after Pakistan\u2019s training session.
\nHe acknowledged the importance of not only winning but also surpassing New Zealand\u2019s net run rate.
\nExplaining the team\u2019s strategic planning, Mickey Arthur said, \u201cDuring the match against Bangladesh, I had every scenario in my pocket that if we win in 25 overs, if we win in 26 overs, if we win in 27 overs, then runs. What would the rate be? I knew how we would approach New Zealand\u2019s net run rate in particular.\u201d
\nHowever, Mickey Arthur stressed the need to respect New Zealand\u2019s strength before diving into net run rate calculations.
\n\u201cThe first thing for us though is that we have to respect our opposition,\u201d he acknowledged New Zealand\u2019s quality.
\nNew Zealand is a very good team. I think his coaching is very good. I think his leadership is very good. They are a very experienced cricket team.\u201d
\nRegarding Pakistan\u2019s performance in the tournament, Mickey Arthur said, \u201cI don\u2019t think we have played to our full potential yet.\u201d He expressed hope that the team has come into form at the right time.
\nMickey Arthur acknowledged the players\u2019 flexibility and adaptability in unique situations, while also discussing elements such as constant travel and strict security measures.
\nHe mentioned that restrictions were creating problems for us and he tried to organize team events to give us a taste of the outside world.
\n\u201cWhat\u2019s been difficult is that we\u2019ve been under a lot of security, I found it difficult as well. It\u2019s almost like we\u2019re back in Corona. That time when you\u2019re on your floor and your team,\u201d he said. Almost isolated in the room. So much so that they have breakfast in a separate room for everyone. So that\u2019s almost been the hard part.\u201d
\n\u201cIt definitely does and I\u2019ve seen it with some players where you wake up again and it\u2019s Groundhog Day,\u201d said Mikey Arthur when asked if too many restrictions were affecting the team. Like, Exactly the same. You have breakfast and if there is no training session that day, you go back to your room.
\nWe\u2019ve tried to have small team events and whatever in our team room.
\nBut you know you can only do it to a certain extent. We took the boys to restaurants with security to give them a little taste of the outside world.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BENGALURU Pakistan\u2019s focus is on both winning the match and improving their net run rate ahead of the crucial ICC Cricket World Cup match against New Zealand, National Cricket Team Director Mickey Arthur has said. On Friday, Mickey Arthur also hinted at a change in Pakistan\u2019s game plan while talking to the media after Pakistan\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":365942,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[13082],"class_list":{"0":"post-365911","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-mickey-arthur"},"yoast_head":"\n