Pakistan Players Not Playing In IPL Is A Disadvantage: Mickey Arthur

BENGALURU: Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s Director of Cricket, expressed his view that Pakistani players may face a slight disadvantage in India due to their absence from the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Speaking during a pre-match press conference in Bengaluru, Arthur noted that Pakistan has had to quickly adapt to new conditions in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Pakistan is gearing up for a crucial encounter with New Zealand in the tournament, scheduled for Saturday, November 4.

To secure a spot in the semi-finals, Pakistan must win this do-or-die match. When questioned about whether Pakistan’s lack of participation in the IPL has been a drawback, Arthur acknowledged it as a factor but emphasized that he wouldn’t use it as an excuse.

He stated, “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’ve watched IPL on TV and they’ve seen test matches at iconic grounds like Eden Gardens, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai. So, for them to play it, it’s been really exciting for them.”

The upcoming Pakistan vs. New Zealand match holds significant importance for both teams.

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New Zealand currently occupies the fourth spot in the league table with a precarious position, while Pakistan closely trails in the fifth position. Only a loss to New Zealand in their next game would secure Pakistan’s spot in the tournament’s semi-finals.

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