Bengaluru: In yet another set of excuses, Head Coach Mickey Arthur on Friday said the absence of IPL exposure for Pakistan players and a massive amount of security definitely have affected the performance of Pakistan players in the ongoing ICC Men's ODI World Cup.
"As a Pakistan team, we play a hell of a lot of cricket. So being on the road is nothing new for these guys. What has been tough is the fact that we have been under a massive amount of security. So, I have sort of taken it back. And to be fair, I found it difficult," he told reporters on the eve of a crucial Pakistan and New Zealand match here at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Arthur said it is almost like the players have been back in the Covid times where they are almost secluded to their floor and team room. "So much so that their breakfast is in a separate room to everybody else. So, it's almost, that's been the tough aspect," he said.
Arthur added that the team has not been able to go out for a change which has been quite stifling.
"The aspect about being on the road is, our boys are used to it. But when they are on the road, they have still been able to get out and go and have meals, etc., at different places, and get out on their own accord where we haven't been able to do this time. And that's been tough. That has been quite stifling," he said.
Asked if the security cover affects the boys, Arthur said, "It certainly does. It definitely does. And I have seen it with some players where it has been, you wake up again and it's like Groundhog Day. It's exactly the same. You have breakfast and if it's a non-training day, you are back to your room."
The team tried to have sort of little fun team events and whatever within the team room, but there is only so much they could recreate, Arthur said.
"I think the guys have been out three times - we have managed to do that with security, get them out to a different restaurant or whatever, just to give them a little bit of a taste of the outside world.
Replying to a query, Arthur said Pakistan has been at a disadvantage in this World Cup because none of the Pakistan players play in the IPL.
"That's a good question, but I just see the headline (coming) now. No excuse, but it has been. And the interesting thing has been that every ground we've been to has been a new venue for our players, which is exciting.
"The players have really embraced that and they've enjoyed that fact because they have watched IPL on TV and they have seen test matches at iconic grounds like Eden Gardens, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai. So, for them to play it, it has been really exciting for them.
"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 said.
Replying to another query, Arthur said the team would play Haris Rauf for tomorrow's match as he has a specific role to play.
"If we make change - and just on Haris Rauf does a real role for us. You know, he is kind of our striker. So no, we would not look to change Haris Rauf because he has got a specific role for us within the team," he said.
However, there is a potential for a game plan change, Arthur said. "And you know, Fakhar Zaman was brought in once he cleared his injury, we have to remember that. We would have loved to have Fakhar Zaman available for the whole competition. But once he cleared his injury, we got him right and he gave us some good reward."
Asked about the latest update on Shadab Khan, Arthur said no decision has been made on him at the minute.
"The latest update is that Shadab went through a preliminary test today, which you have got to do as per medical protocol. He came through that OK, but we are in no position yet to make a decision on him. Concussion is a really important injury, and we've got to be 100 per cent sure before we make a decision. No decision has been made on him at the minute," he said. (UNI)