Arthur has great faith in talented Pak players

New Pakistan coach waiting to receive his Australian citizenship

PERTH: Mickey Arthur is well aware of the fact that coaching Pakistan will be a very tough challenge but the South African is confident that he can help bring the best out of his new charges.

Arthur is optimistic about the rich bowling talent he will have at his disposal — led by controversial prodigy Mohammad Amir — particularly with the promise of juicy conditions for the first Test against Australia under lights at the bouncy Gabba.

“I think you can see by where they’re sitting in terms of the rankings that it’s going to be a very tough gig,” he said.

“But I’ve got a lot of faith in their potential. I coached the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League and was amazed by the amount of talent that there is. Very skilled players who just need the right direction, need the right guidance.

“Bowling wise, it’s an outstanding group. There’s an outstanding group of quick and spin bowlers there without a doubt.

“Batting, especially batting out of the sub-continent conditions is a challenge and one that we certainly have to look at. Fitness and fielding, we’ve got to get that up to speed and up to the modern game really.”

Meanwhile, at a ceremony in Perth scheduled for the coming days, Arthur will happily and proudly receive his Australian citizenship.

Arthur is officially becoming an Australian readying himself to coach against his own countrymen, with Pakistan due to arrive for three Tests this coming summer.

The affable South African-born mentor, who has never held a grudge against Australia despite the dramatic events that led to his sacking, can’t wait for the challenge of marking up against Steve Smith and company.

“It’s very exciting, it really is,” Arthur said.

“I’ll certainly be looking forward to it and really excited for the challenge. It’s going to be brilliant to coach against some of the really good young players that I coached a couple of years ago.”

Arthur might have taken on the Pakistan job earlier this month, but for a long time now he has considered himself to be an Australian for life.

That will become official this week when Arthur is honoured at a citizenship ceremony along with his wife and daughter.

Arthur has set up his cricketing academies in Perth and can’t see himself living anywhere else post his coaching career, which has now been kick-started again with Pakistan who will need building from the ground up.

The bitterness of the Homeworkgate saga could excuse Arthur for feeling victimised by Australia and Australian cricket, but Arthur has moved on with no regrets.

“Absolutely not. I’ve continually said it — I got an opportunity and I had a chance to coach Australia and for that I will always be grateful,” he said.

“Australia was a great experience in so many ways for me. Me and my family consider ourselves Australian now. We’re in the final throws of getting our citizenship so we certainly think that Australia in so many ways has given us so many wonderful opportunities.

“(Coaching Australia) was a great experience for me and record wise it’s not too bad but obviously it ended prematurely.

“I’ll travel back and forth. We’re very happy in Perth — Perth is definitely our home.”

Arthur enjoyed great success as coach of South Africa for many years, before heading to Australia for mixed results.

However, despite the challenges he ran into at CA — Arthur admits that Pakistan will be the challenge of his career.