Mickey Arthur feels sad for Asad Shafiq

As the World XI tour to Pakistan kicked off at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, many Pakistani players got a chance to represent their national team at home for the first time. It was a proud moment for both the fans and players as well as the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), that their efforts bore fruit. The series is currently levelled at 1-1 with the final T20I scheduled to be played on September 15.

However, Pakistan team head coach Mickey Arthur expressed disappointment for batsman Asad Shafiq who missed out on a chance to play in front of the enthusiastic home crowds. He also spoke about the environment in the games, prospects on international cricket making a return to Pakistan and the security arrangements for the World XI players.

On Asad Shafiq and others missing out

“My heart goes out to Asad Shafiq who has never played a Test match in front of his home crowd in Karachi,” said Arthur, as quoted by PakPassion.net. “I feel so sorry for the guys who haven’t played in front of their home crowds,” he added.

The World XI tour is a historical moment for Pakistan which is widely being seen as a stepping stone to bring back international cricket to the country. Mickey has similar views and perceives it as a prominent move. “Just to see the crowd coming in last night and the chanting was very special,” he stated.

On security for the World XI players

Arthur informed that the World XI players were satisfied with the security situation in the country as briefed by the FICA. “No World XI player spoke to me before coming here; they trusted what they had been told about Pakistan. They trusted the security briefing and the FICA giving them the right information,” the Pakistani head coach informed.