Pakistan cricket coach Mickey Arthur should reshape team in 8 months or resign says Shoaib Akhtar

Fast bowling legend Shoaib Akhtar has given Pakistan's new head coach Mickey Arthur eight months time to reshape the team or resign from his post. Akhtar, who played for Pakistan from 1997 to 2011, wants Arthur to use his tactical nous to bring out the best form the team.

The Rawalpindi Express backed the appointment of Arthur who is an experienced coach, having been in charge of South Africa and Australia in the past.

"Arthur has a reputation of being a disciplinarian and innovative coach and Pakistan cricket needs both but he has to decide when and where to draw the line," Akhtar was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

"But I think in eight months time we will know whether he will make a difference or go like others before him. Because in this period we play some important series and either he will reshape the way we play cricket or decide to bid goodbye."

The Pakistani team have been pulled up for disciplinary issues in the past and have been involved in clashes with cricket board authorities, to which Akhtar said, "Only a professional player can decide what is best for him.

"When I played there were some undisciplined characters in the team but on match days they only focused on cricket and when they went out to play they tried to give their best that is why our team in those days was so good."

Pakistan have a packed calendar for the next eight months, during which they will tour England, New Zealand and Australia in Test series while also taking on the West Indies in the United Arab Emirates. Akhtar is hopeful that the head coach will help usher in a new age in the country's cricketing landscape.

"Arthur has all the credentials to change the attitude and mindset of our players the way they play top cricket, so I'm hopeful," he concluded.