Mickey Arthur and I have no personal issues, says Sohail Khan

Karachi [Pakistan], Apr. 10 (ANI): Pakistan pacer Sohail Khan has dismissed rumours of him having 'any personal issues' with head coach Mickey Arthur, saying their relationship is 'quite professional.' Before the first Test of the three-match series against Australia in Brisbane last year, Arthur had said that he doubts about Sohail's endurance levels. "Sohail Khan comes in and swings it right arm, but I've got a doubt about Sohail's comeback ability," Express Tribune quoted Arthur as saying at the time. "If he has got to bowl, his first spell's very good, his second spell's okay, his third spell is tough and then you just don't get anything more. That puts a lot of pressure on our other units." However, the Pakistan team management went on to select Sohail for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), with Arthur showering praise on the right-arm pacer "He has bowled beautifully," Arthur said. "He has trained exceptionally, that's all I can say. I don't know if you've seen him lately, he has lost seven-eight kilos, he's the first guy in the gym at six in the morning." Different statements on different occasions made by the head coach for the bowler created doubt in the minds of the people. However, the outburst during the second edition of the Pakistan Super League's (PSL) where Sohail seemed to be at the centre of Arthur's rage against Karachi Kings players fuelled the fire further. However on Monday, Sohail took to Twitter to clear the air, saying, "I strongly deny the rumours that Arthur and I have any personal issues or friction," read the statement. "Our relationship is quite professional and I have great respect for him," he added. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An important message for my fans and friends in media. With best wishes & prayers! :) <a href="https://t.co/1w8ZD1jb3u">pic.twitter.com/1w8ZD1jb3u</a></p>&mdash; Sohail Khan (@iSohailKhanPak) <a href="https://twitter.com/iSohailKhanPak/status/851337573893107712">April 10, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Following Sohail's axing from the limited-overs squad for the ongoing West Indies tour despite being awarded the best bowler award of PSL2, there were many claims, one of which said that he was not happy with the selectors. The 33-year-old also clarified that he has no issues with any Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selector, including national selection committee head Inzamam-ul-Haq. "I also do not have any issues with the living legend Inzamam bhai or any other selectors." He added, "My job is to work hard and put up a better show for Pakistan and I work on that all the time," he said. "Also, with my current form with both bat and ball, please know that I am having the time of my life." It should be remembered that during PSL 2, a video had gone viral on social media where the Pakistan head coach was hairdryer treatment to the Karachi Kings players, especially Sohail. The right-arm pacer, when asked about the same, revealed that nothing was wrong between him and Arthur. "There was no fight between me and Arthur," Sohail said. "He was pointing out everyone's mistakes. He wasn't targeting me individually. When a coach tells something to players, be it aggressively or normally, it is a player's duty to listen to him and implement his ideas," he insisted. (ANI)