Former England captain Michael Vaughan has mocked Mickey Arthur for his strange statements on the absence of Pakistan supporters at the 2023 World Cup match against India in Ahmedabad. Vaughan said that Indian captain Rohit Sharma urged him not to play “Dil, Dil, Pakistan” because Babar Azam and company will win.
On October 14, the Men in Blue defeated Pakistan by seven wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in the 2023 World Cup match. Pakistan collapsed from 155/2 to 191 all out in their first innings. India reached the goal in 30.3 overs, led by Rohit Sharma’s 86 off 63 balls.
Following the game, Pakistan’s team director Mickey Arthur said that the India-Pakistan encounter appeared to be more of a BCCI event than an ICC affair. He also mentioned not hearing “Dil Dil Pakistan” shouts.
During a recent podcast interview with Aussie veteran Adam Gilchrist, Vaughan stated his sarcastic reaction to Mickey Arthur’s remarks. During the discussion, Gilchrist commended Rohit’s captaincy, to which Vaughan responded:
“Gilly, you are absolutely spot on about Rohit. His tactical awareness out in the middle, just managing the players, as you mentioned [Mohammed] Siraj, giving him an extra over just to give him a boost.”
“But his best move without doubt, the move that won the game and the Pakistan coach alluded to it afterwards, is Rohit obviously said to the DJ, just do not play ‘Dil, Dil, Pakistan’. If you play, Pakistan will win. Do not play that song. Make sure that they don’t hear that inspirational song. That was clever from Rohit. Most captains don’t think about things like that – DJs, music. Rohit is ahead of his time,” the former England captain added.
While Rohit Sharma top-scored for India with 86, bowler Jasprit Bumrah was awarded Player of the Match for his 2/19 from seven overs.
Mickey Arthur expresses his disappointment after Pakistan’s World Cup loss to India
At a news conference following Pakistan’s last World Cup setback to India, Mickey Arthur expressed regret that Pakistan fans were not present at the stadium to support their side.
“It didn’t seem like an ICC event 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
Due to visa complications, Pakistani supporters were unable to attend the match in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, Babar’s squad was defeated by Australia by 62 runs on Friday in Bengaluru.