Mickey Arthur blames Asia Cup 2023 hybrid model for Pakistan's poor performance in World Cup

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Mickey Arthur, the former director of Pakistan cricket team, has blamed the hybrid model of Asia Cup 2023 for Babar Azam-led side's poor performance at the World Cup 2023.

Asia Cup 2023 matches were played across Pakistan and Sri Lanka after BCCI refused from sending the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the continental showpiece event. Arthur, who was sacked from his role after Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-finals, said that the players were exhausted due to the chaotic travelling.

"For the players it was literally: finish a game in Pakistan, shower, then straight to the airport, overnight flight back into Sri Lanka, then playing a game two days later, and they had to do this at least three times," Arthur was quoted as saying by the 'Wisden’.

"It was incredibly tough for the players, and I found that they very clearly burnt out towards the back end of the tournament. Unfortunately, they took that into the World Cup, which was incredibly disappointing," he added.

Further, Mickey Arthur opened up on the marquee India vs Pakistan match at the Narendra Modi Stadium. He said the environment at the stadium was hostile towards Pakistan.

"It was extremely tough not having any Pakistan support. The one thing that really drives the Pakistan team is the incredible support they receive at grounds and hotels. Here we never had that, and that was quite tough in a World Cup, particularly for the players,” Arthur told Wisden.

“As you can imagine it was a tough, hostile environment in Ahmedabad. But we were expecting this, and to their credit our players never moaned or complained once. They cracked on and tried their best – nevertheless it ultimately does play a role in motivation when you can't see or hear that support base around you,” he added.