Reports: Imran Khan rejected Mickey Arthur’s two-year extension as Pakistan head coach

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided not to extend Mickey Arthur’s contract as Pakistan’s head coach is now looking for a new coach. The developments were shocking for Arthur who was assured of an extension by an influential group of cricketers. The board also sacked the entire coaching staff and will appoint a fresh group ahead of the team’s next series. However, if the reports are to be believed, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan rejected Arthur’s extension at the helm.

Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup held in England and finished at the fifth position among 10 teams. Though they made a stunning in the latter half of the tournament, slow start cost them badly in the end. After the World Cup, a highly influential member in the PCB had ensured Mickey Arthur of continuing as the coach of the team.

Following assurances, Arthur was convinced and also travelled to Lahore to spend some time only to be left disappointed. “Arthur was very confident after these assurances that is why he came down to Lahore and spent quite a few days in anticipation of an extension but he was also disappointed and shocked when the PCB announced they were not retaining him or the support staff,” the source was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

PCB chairman spoke to Imran

The reports also claim that the PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani spoke to Imran Khan who is the patron-in-chief in this matter and Pakistan’s World Cup-winning captain made it clear that the new coaching set up should be appointed now. Meanwhile, Mickey Arthur was also shocked to hear the local reports claiming that he suggested the cricket committee to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed as the captain of the team.

The reports also added that Arthur suggested Shadab Khan and Babar Azam’s names to lead Pakistan in white and red-ball cricket. Apparently, the former Pakistan coach has conveyed to Sarfaraz Ahmed that he never said anything against him. “Arthur has communicated to Sarfaraz that media reports about him talking about changing the captain were not correct,” the source added.