England beat Pakistan by four wickets at Headingley on Thursday, to go 4-nil up in a five-match ODI series. Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur made it clear that some members of Pakistan’s one-day squad were on borrowed time, after another defeat by England raised fears that Pakistan might not qualify automatically for the 2019 World Cup.
Arthur admitted that the rankings are a big cause for concern and asked the players to repay the confidence that has been shown by the selectors and the team management. Arthur said. "We need complete buy-in from the players, we have got to give them a lot of confidence and allow them to grow in the roles we've given them."
"I'm finding my way with the one-day team," conceded Arthur. "I want to give guys opportunities and then we'll know by the end of the tour who we can and can't take forward. Irfan was a player of interest and I wanted to have a look at him go.”
“Inzi and myself have developed a really good relationship … just discussing where we were and possible names who could come in in positions I've identified. What I am finding out is who can do a job and who can't,” Cricbuzz reported.
Pakistan have a tough schedule as they try to improve their ranking, with the ICC system also factoring into account the quality of a team's opposition. "When I saw the fixture list, the games aren’t easy," said Arthur, whose side have at least qualified for next year's Champions Trophy, the 'mini World Cup', in England.
However, Pakistan leveled Test series of four matches against England with two wins and two losses prior to ODI format. However, the green shirts have been dismal in ODI series with 4-0 so far.
Pakistan started this series at ninth position in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI rankings, with only tournament hosts England and the top seven in the standings come the end of September next year qualifying automatically for the 2019 World Cup.
The remaining places for the slimmed-down 10-team tournament will be decided at a 2018 qualifying event in Bangladesh.
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