Arthur claims Pakistan's defeat against India left him wanting to 'commit suicide'
The defeat put Pakistan's hopes of reaching the World Cup semi-finals in grave danger.
LONDON (AFP) - Head coach Mickey Arthur has claimed Pakistan s World Cup defeat against bitter rivals India was so painful that it left him wanting to "commit suicide".
Pakistan suffered a bruising 89-run loss to India in Manchester on June 16, a result which sparked a furious backlash from their frustrated fans.
The defeat put Pakistan s hopes of reaching the World Cup semi-finals in grave danger.
And, although they kept alive their slender last-four hopes by beating South Africa on Sunday, Arthur admitted the India loss left him feeling desperately low.
"Last Sunday I wanted to commit suicide," Arthur said.
"But it was, you know, it s only one performance.
"It happens so quick. You lose a game; you lose another game; it s a World Cup; media scrutiny; public expectation, and then you almost go into sort of survival mode. We ve all been there."
Arthur s emotional comment may have been exaggerated to show how passionate he is about his job.
But some fans feel the South Africa-born coach s words are in bad taste given Pakistan s former coach Bob Woolmer died of natural causes during the 2007 World Cup.
Pakistan lifted Arthur s spirts with an impressive 49-run win against South Africa at Lord s.
They now need to win their remaining three matches and improve their inferior net run-rate to have a chance of finishing in the top four and advancing to the semi-finals.
Pakistan play New Zealand in Birmingham on Wednesday.
"We always keep telling our players, it s one performance. Who is going to stimulate us today?" Arthur added.
