Is Mickey Arthur the right choice as the head coach for Pakistan?

October 30, 2010: Mickey Arthur had "a strong suspicion" that Pakistan was involved in match-fixing in the fifth ODI against South Africa at Lahore in 2007. Arthur expressed this while giving an interview to South African website News24.

Needing 234 to win the series, Pakistan went from 149-2 and 209-6 to 219 all out. No allegations were made against the Pakistan team at the time.

"There was a strong suspicion of match-fixing and it took some of the gloss off the series win. We did not have any proof, but when you have been involved in the game long enough, you know when something is not right," Arthur said. "How else do you explain a batting side needing only 40 runs with seven wickets in hand, and then losing?"

 November 5, 2010: The Pakistan Cricket Board threatened to take legal action against Mickey Arthur after he suggested in a recent interview that a one-day series decider between the two countries in 2007 had been influenced by match-fixers.

"PCB has noted with concern the statement of former South African Coach Mick[e]y Arthur insinuating that a one-day international match played at Lahore between Pakistan and South Africa in 2007 was fixed," read a PCB statement. "PCB has decided to immediately serve a legal notice on Mick[e]y Arthur asking him to share with PCB any evidence in this regard. If the evidence is not provided PCB and Pakistani players reserve the right to initiate legal proceedings against Mick[e]y Arthur including but not limited to seeking unqualified apology, retraction and damages."

"PCB reiterates that it has a zero tolerance policy towards corruption in cricket," continued the statement, "and will deal with any news concerning Pakistani players with utmost importance and due care."

Such things happened six years ago when Pakistan cricket was in an absolute turmoil. These incidents indicate, Mickey Arthur and Pakistan Cricket Board never had a friendly relationship and as a matter of fact, Arthur doesn’t seem to be a well wisher of Pakistan Cricket. But, the Pakistan Cricket Board, six years later, thought, Mickey is the right choice as the head coach of men in green and I wonder what prompted them to take such a decision? Above all, one cannot understand the mysterious world of Pakistan cricket.

As a coach Mickey has been a successful one for South Africa, but his stint with the Australian team was not a rosy one. It met a sad end. Mickey is someone who loves to boss around and is somewhat like the headmaster of a high school. I don’t think his bossing character will bring anything good for Pakistan who are perennially fractious. If you try to tame the Pakistanis, you will lose the battle. And don’t forget, how ugly their media is – a bunch of wild child.

Time will tell how good a choice Mickey has been, but the PCB should have appointed Aaqib Javed as the coach. History says, Pakistan have fared well under the local coaches – Intikhab Alam, Mushtaq Mohammad, Mohsin Khan and Waqar Younis had not been unsuccessful. Pakistan took Twenty20 too seriously, which was nothing but stupidity. I still believe, Waqar was a very good coach. He was the victim of Pakistan’s pathetic politics and the insensible media.  

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar