Terming the series against Australia as disappointing, Pakistan's cricket team head coach Micky Arthur Tuesday said that the 5-0 loss against Australia was "incredibly hard." However, Arthur accounted the poor performance to the lack of key players in the squad. "We dislike losing as a team - it's not part of our vocabulary. We didn't have our best team against Australia," Arthur said while talking to media on arrival here after being whitewashed 5-0 by Australia in the ODI series held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Mohammad Amir, Umar Akmal, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, head coach Mickey Arthur arrived at the Allama Iqbal International Airport along with team officials and departed soon without talking much to media.
Team Pakistan were brushed aside by the Australia in the five-match ODI series. The young Pakistan team failed to perform in the absence of regular skipper Sarfraz Ahmed who was rested for the series. Shoaib Malik was appointed as the stand-in captain but he also missed the last two games owing to ribs injury. Imad Wasim led the Green Shirts in last two ODIs.
Answering a question, Micky Arthur said that no compromises will be made on players' fitness with the World Cup right around the corner. "There will be no compromise on players' fitness. We will conduct fitness tests on April 14. We will [then] sit down with the selection committee and make decisions about the World Cup squad."
Arthur maintained that he and the management were sure about their squad picks for the World Cup and the strategy they would be using to train for the mega event.
When asked about Pakistan's dismal performance against in the ODI series, Arthur said, "The series against Australia was disappointing - but there were positive takeaways. We gave opportunity to new talent in order to test them." He said that five centuries in the series and Hasnain's debut were the major positive outcome from the games played against Australia. He added that senior players are fit and ready to participate in the mega event.
To another query, Arthur said that Sarfaraz is the management's first pick as a wicket keeper and new-comer Asif Ali will be focusing on taking the sixth spot in the batting lineup. "We need to give him confidence," Arthur said.
Arthur said Pakistan will play 11 matches in England before the World Cup and the Team Pakistan will get hard training in those conditions. "Pakistan displayed wonderful performance in England during the 2017 Champions Trophy, and the team are capable to compete in all situations," he said, adding: "Inclusion of new players in team is a positive move. Abid Ali and Mohammad Hasnain have impressed a lot and want to perform for the country. Mohammad Amir is very skillful bowler."
About Umar Akmal, the head coach said Umar is a competent player and puts efforts to do well for the team.
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