When Pakistan suffered a second defeat to Afghanistan in the ongoing T20 series, veteran coach Mickey Arthur supported the struggling young cricketers Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, and Mohammad Haris.
During the second game, left-arm bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi grabbed the wickets of Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, both for zero runs, in the first over, resulting in a catastrophic loss for the Green Shirts against the neighbouring nation.
Haris was then removed to the dugout after managing just 15 for 9.
For Pakistani supporters, the team’s overall performance in the T20I series has been disappointing and has drawn a lot of criticism.
Yet, Arthur believes that while the three young players’ talent is undeniable after they demonstrated it in league cricket, international cricket entails other obligations and responsibilities.
According to Arthur’s tweet, “Groom them, give them time, and give them opportunities to bat with seasoned players, and they will come through.”
It should be mentioned that in the current three-match series versus Afghanistan, young players have been given a chance. Shadab Khan, a Pakistani all-rounder who is captaining the team in place of Babar Azam, had stated: “This TV show is aimed at our children. We worked to instill confidence in them.”
Khan had noted that players may not always perform due to the nerves of international cricket, but we should support them after the loss in the first game, Afghanistan’s first win against Pakistan in international cricket.
He has also said that a player shouldn’t be elevated to stardom after only one successful performance or demoted after one flop.
