Doha: Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur believes ‘consistency and discipline’ in all departments was key for his team’s stunning victory over England in the opening Test at Lord’s, saying the same approach will help his young guns prevail over their experienced counterparts in the second and final Test at Headingley.
An inexperienced Pakistan side entered the first Test against England as underdogs but the Sarfraz Ahmed-led side displayed an outstanding performance outclassing the hosts in all departments, finishing the 9-wicket victory inside four days.
“Our consistency and discipline in all departments was key to our victory,” Arthur said in an interview after the Lord’s win.
“Our fielding was good and all our batsmen showed discipline. That’s what we have been working for and I couldn’t be much happier,” the Pakistan coach said.
England after the embarrassing defeat are expected to fight back strongly but Arthur said his team can overcome the mighty hosts if they show the same approach in the Headingley Test starting on Friday .
“We will have to show the same performance. This win will give our team, which is a bunch of young players, confidence but we need to keep that in mind that we need to be consistent to repeat such achievements.”
Speaking about team’s preparations, the Pakistan coach said he laid an extensive plan for the tough series.
“I was so excited to have England tour in the calendar. We prepared for 6 weeks after completing the PSL (Pakistan Super League). We got green wickets prepared for us in Lahore where we had some good preparations.
Ireland Test match was great. The guys won it under pressure which was great for us. All in all we were preparing for six weeks for day one at Lord’s,” he said.
Arthur said he laid emphasis on fitness and fielding to find the balance in players’ talent and discipline.
“We came in tough because we needed to change cricket culture a little bit. We formed a criteria which the guys needed to fulfil to be in the team. We have been giving more conscious efforts on fitness and fielding because in batting and bowling the skills are in abundance.”
“We gave them root to grow and wings to fly.”
“Root to grow is we equipped them technically, we gave them the structure and game plan. And wings to fly is an execution within their own plans. We never ever want to stop their growth as their flare is what that make them so exciting,” the Pakistan coach added.
Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Atherton felt Joe Root’s decision to bat first cost England dearly at Lord’s.
“One of the worst performance by England. I expect them to improve in Headingley,” he said.
“I do think they (England) made it difficult for them to bat first after winning the toss. The pitch is green, the morning drizzle, cloud cover and you have an opposition who are playing an extra bowler (by sacrificing a batsman slot). I think England made a mistake although I don’t believe much in toss,” he said.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim said the win will boost Pakistan’s confidence ahead of the second and final Test.
“It was definitely a morale-boosting victory which will help the young side in the last Test. I think Pakistan will go with the same team except for (injured) Babar Azam.”
