Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts
 

ICC World Cup: Pakistan aiming to rattle India's top order: Arthur

Pakistan's chances of reaching the semi-finals will be boosted if they beat rivals India, with coach Mickey Arthur demanding aggression.

By Opta
Mickey Arthur

Manchester, June 15: Coach Mickey Arthur has told Pakistan to rattle India's top order when the fierce rivals meet at the Cricket World Cup on Sunday.

ICC World Cup Special Paga | ICC WC 2019: Preview: Tranquil India, intense Pakistan seek victory from emotional cauldron

India are unbeaten at this year's tournament after three fixtures and have never lost a World Cup game to Pakistan, although they were beaten heavily by their neighbours in the 2017 Champions Trophy final in London.

Showers are expected in Manchester with the weather set to have an impact again, India's last match against New Zealand having been rained off.

ICC World Cup 2019: India probable XI against Pakistan at Manchester</a> | <a class=India vs Pakistan: Kohli, Dhoni drive India ahead, feel Abbas, Anwar " title="ICC World Cup 2019: India probable XI against Pakistan at Manchester | India vs Pakistan: Kohli, Dhoni drive India ahead, feel Abbas, Anwar " />ICC World Cup 2019: India probable XI against Pakistan at Manchester | India vs Pakistan: Kohli, Dhoni drive India ahead, feel Abbas, Anwar

Pakistan, with one win from their four games, desperately need a victory to boost their qualification chances and Arthur is demanding an aggressive approach in one of sport's biggest fixtures.

"Without wanting to harp too much, that [the Champions Trophy final] was two years ago, but when you get into the Indian top order, you can create a little bit of havoc," he told a news conference.

"There's some fun players all the way down, don't get me wrong, but if you can rattle their top order with the new ball, you certainly have an advantage. That's something that we'll certainly, certainly be trying to work on.

"I'm telling our players in the dressing room, you could be a hero. Your careers are going to be defined by a moment in the game. You do something incredible [against India], you'll be remembered forever.

"Our mantra is how do you want to be remembered? We've got 15 incredible cricketers in that dressing room, and we keep stressing to them, how do you want to be remembered? You're the class of 2019. What are they going to say about you in history?

"And this presents an unbelievable opportunity for these guys to really make a mark."

Shoaib Malik is yet to make an impact in the tournament, scoring only eight runs in his two innings, but Arthur backed the 37-year-old to fire against India.

"I can tell you a guy that's played over 200 ODIs, tomorrow presents a real opportunity for him," Arthur added.

"Shoaib Malik didn't play [against] the West Indies team because of the balance of the team. He batted in the last three overs against England and failed against Australia.

"So to say he's failed, there's not much of a barometer just yet. That will be determined over the next couple of games. What I do know is Shoaib Malik brings a hell of a lot to our dressing room.

"He is an incredible team man. He has incredible skills, and I'm hoping that, on the biggest stage tomorrow, those skills come to the fore.

"Let's not forget - I mentioned it in one of the previous questions - that it's still a fairly young cricket team. Shoaib Malik's experience, Mohammad Hafeez's experience will go a long way out in the middle to help these young boys through it."

Story first published: Saturday, June 15, 2019, 21:38 [IST]
Other articles published on Jun 15, 2019