ICC to review Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur's 'bilateral series' comment after India's win in Ahmedabad
In the post-match press conference, Arthur pointed out to a group of journalists the lack of support for the 1992 World Cup winners and the absence of Pakistani supporters. Visas for Pakistani fans to attend the prestigious competition have not been issued.
The International Cricket Council is preparing to review the statement made by Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur, in which he described the match against India as feeling like a bilateral series.
This statement was made following Pakistan's seven-wicket loss to India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, October 14, led by Babar Azam.
During the post-match press conference, Arthur highlighted the absence of Pakistani fans and the lack of support for the 1992 World Cup champions while addressing a group of journalists.
Pakistani fans have been unable to obtain visas to attend the marquee tournament, resulting in the Pakistan team participating in the showpiece event without the support of a live audience.
"Look, I have to be honest, it did affect us," Arthur said after the match. To be completely honest, it didn't feel like a typical ICC event.
After Pakistan's loss to their arch-rivals, Arthur expressed his observation that the match appeared to be a bilateral series and resembled a BCCI event.
The current chairman of the ICC, Greg Barclay, has not made any definitive statement regarding Arthur's remarks.
When asked about it by a group of reporters during the International Olympic Committee Session in Mumbai on Monday, he did not provide a clear response.
Things that we may consider and strive to improve upon in the future... This event is only at the beginning. Let's observe how everything unfolds, and then we can take some time to review what aspects could be modified, how we can enhance World Cups, and improve the overall cricket experience.
We will simply let things unfold and reach the conclusion of the event. "I am confident that the upcoming World Cup will be exceptional," Barclay stated, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
In the meantime, several former Pakistan cricketers, including Wasim Akram and Danish Kaneria, have downplayed Arthur's comments.