Mickey Arthur Taking Pakistan To The ICC Men’s World Cup

South African-born Mickey Arthur, who currently plies his trade as head coach at Derbyshire County Cricket Club, a position he’s held since 2021, is now being tasked with taking up a dual role position as he’s going to also operating as Pakistan’s national team director, leading them into the ICC Men’s World Cup later this year, much to the surprise of some.

Arthur, 54, had previously worked as Pakistan’s head coach, holding the position between 2016 and 2019 before he moved to Sri Lanka. And it’s believed that Pakistan made a play earlier this year to recruit their former head coach, but the former batsman is said to have knocked back the offer as he’d penned a new deal with current employers Derbyshire, which runs until 2025, but now a dual role is happening.

Before accepting the position as team director, Arthur had already begun working as a consultant for Pakistan. After finding a way to combine the two roles, he opted to be director ahead of the ICC Men’s World Cup, which is happening in India in October and November. Cricket, primarily because of the World Cup, continues to draw huge interest worldwide, underlined by the gaming industry’s increasing appetite for interactive video games like Cricket 22 and SmartSoft’s Cricket X slot machine.

Under Arthur’s guidance in his three-year period with Pakistan, he managed to convert them into the number one Test team on the planet, and there’s hope that similar progress can be achieved this time around with him operating as the team’s director. As well as being involved at the World Cup, Arthur will also be responsible for leading Pakistan in a three-Test tour of Australia, with a home Test series to follow against the West Indies, and then he will return back to Derby as planned.

Arthur said on the dual role, “I wouldn’t have done it if I couldn’t have given Derbyshire 100% commitment, which Pakistan have agreed to.

“It doesn’t affect my role at Derbyshire at all and wouldn’t affect any performance.

“If I didn’t feel I could give Pakistan the same level of commitment, I certainly wouldn’t have taken it. I’ve looked at schedules, and it’s very doable.“

Arthur has already managed to spend time with the Pakistan team after traveling to the country recently as they faced off against New Zealand, with the Kiwi’s embarking on a white-ball tour of the nation. And the South African has wasted no time in getting involved in decision-making across crucial areas, as he’s already hired support staff while playing a role in team selection.

Ryan Duckett, the chief executive at Derbyshire County Cricket Club, insists that Arthur’s primary focus is the county.

“A coach of Mickey’s caliber will naturally attract attention; however, I am delighted by his continued dedication to his role, the group of players, and the club as a whole”, he added.