Arthur expressed the difficulty faced by the team due to the extensive security protocols, likening the experience to the isolating times of the COVID era, where players were restricted to their floor and team room
Pakistan’s struggles during this World Cup have been acknowledged by their Director of Cricket, Mickey Arthur. On November 3, Arthur highlighted the challenges posed by increased security measures surrounding the players, which largely restricted their movements to the confines of their hotel rooms. With Pakistan having lost four out of seven matches, they must win their remaining two games, notably the one against New Zealand in Bengaluru on November 4, and also rely on other results to potentially advance to the semifinals.
Arthur expressed the difficulty faced by the team due to the extensive security protocols, likening the experience to the isolating times of the COVID era, where players were restricted to their floor and team room.
“It has been tough due to the significant security measures. I found it challenging, as it almost felt like we were back in the COVID times, isolated to our floor and team room,” Arthur remarked during the pre-match press conference. He further pointed out the extent of this seclusion by mentioning that even their breakfast was served separately in a different room from everyone else.
“Our boys are used to being on the road. But when they’re on the road, they’ve still been able to get out and have meals at different places, and get out on their own accord, and we haven’t been able to do this time. That’s been tough and stifling,” he added.
The tight security cover was expected for the Pakistan team in India, given the history and diplomatic tension between the two nations.
The hotels where the Pakistan contingent stays are on a 24-hour vigil to avoid any untoward incident.
“It’s like Groundhog Day. You have breakfast and if it’s a non-training day, you’re back to your room. We’ve tried to have sort of little fun team events within our team room. But there’s only so much you can recreate.
“I think the guys have been out three times — we’ve managed to do that with security, get them out to a different restaurant, just to give them a little bit of a taste of the outside world,” he said.
However, Arthur said the players have tried their best to embrace the travel to different venues and the experience wholeheartedly.
“The interesting thing has been that every ground we’ve been to has been a new venue for our players. The players have really embraced that and they’ve enjoyed that fact because they’ve watched IPL on TV and they’ve seen Tests at iconic grounds like Eden Gardens, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai.
“So, for them to play there has been really exciting. Of course, it is the first time they’re playing there, so it has taken a little bit to get used to the conditions,” he added.
