Mickey Arthur left as Pakistan coach after their board decided not to renew his contract following their fifth-place finish at the World Cup 2019. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had also ended its bowling coach Azhar Mahmood, batting coach Grant Flower and trainer Grant Luden.
Arthur was in charge of the team for three years, and he managed Pakistan when they lifted the Champions Trophy.
Arthur was criticized by senior all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez for hid double standards and favoritism. In response, Arthur hit back at Hafeez and said he was not fond of players who liked to be in the comfort zone.
“All I will say is that I liked players who could win games for Pakistan and were professional in all they did. I disliked players that sat in their comfort zones and felt Pakistan cricket owed them something,” Arthur.
“I think Mickey Arthur was the most powerful coach in Pakistan cricket history. Everything went according to what he wanted. I will admit that there were double standards and favoritism while he was coaching the side,” Hafeez had stated.
Arthur is currently the head coach of the Sri Lanka national team. They recently lost a T20I series against the West Indies.
“On behalf of the PCB, I want to sincerely thank Mickey Arthur, Grant Flower, Grant Luden, and Azhar Mahmood for their hard work and unwavering commitment during their tenures with the national men’s team. We wish them every success in their future endeavors,” the PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani had stated.
