World Cup 2023: Mickey Arthur Lashes Out After Pakistan’s Crushing Defeat Against India: “It seemed like a bilateral series; it seemed like a BCCI event”

Pakistan cricket team director Mickey Arthur recently lashed out at the atmosphere in Ahmedabad as the crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium outnumbered Pakistan fans.

There was no shortage of support for the home side and fans cheered for their favorite stars during the India-Pakistan clash in the World Cup 2023 on Saturday. Mickey Arthur believes that the match did not seem like an ICC event and that it reminded him of a BCCI event or a bilateral series in India.

“Look, I’d be lying if I said… It didn’t seem like an ICC event, tonight, to be brutally honest. It seemed like a bilateral series; it seemed like a BCCI event. I didn’t hear Dil Dil Pakistan coming through the microphones too often tonight,” Mickey Arthur said.

“So yes, that does play a role, but I’m not going to use that as an excuse because for us, it was about living the moment, it was about the next ball and it was about how we were going to combat the Indian, the Indian players tonight,” he added.

He was asked if the atmosphere was right for the World Cup and whether it should have been allowed to happen, Arthur was tight-lipped.

“Look I don’t think I can’t comment on that just yet. I don’t want to get fined,” he added.

The Indian bowlers dominated the game in the awaited World Cup 2023 match, as Pakistan’s batting order crumbled. Up until the 30th over, the team led by Babar Azam was performing admirably, but bowler Mohammed Siraj broke the important partnership between Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan.

By dismissing Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam in vital overs, Mohammed Siraj gave team India a breakthrough. Kuldeep Yadav put pressure on the opponents when he dismissed Saud Shakeel and Iftikhar Ahmed, and Jasprit Bumrah eventually secured the wickets of Muhammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan. The Indian bowlers bundled them for a meagre score of 191 runs.

On the other hand, India began the 192-run chase on a high note opener Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill smashed boundaries in quick succession. Shaheen Afridi dismissed Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Meanwhile, Hasan Ali dismissed Virat Kohli  Shreyas Iyer finished the proceedings in style with a boundary which also brought up his half-century.

India have won three matches in a row and will face Bangladesh in their next match on October 19. Pakistan will be looking to bounce back when they lock horns with Australia on October 20.