An experienced cricket coach who is well-known for his work with the Pakistani national team, Mickey Arthur, once related a story about a chat he had with Umar Akmal. Although Akmal is a gifted player with special abilities, he must live up to certain expectations and standards like any other athlete hoping to succeed in professional sports.

Arthur's coaching style involves more than just spotting talent; it also involves helping that talent reach predetermined goals. He underlined how critical it is to comprehend a player's current skill level and areas for improvement in order to effectively integrate them into the team.

While working with a block of marble, picture a sculptor who can see the potential figure inside and knows precisely how much chiseling is needed to bring it out. This process can be compared to Arthur's relationship with Akmal, who recognizes the raw talent but knows that some things, like fitness and team strategy adherence, need to be improved if Akmal is to succeed on the cricket field.

Although Akmal is clearly intelligent and capable, Arthur noted that he must adjust and live up to the physical expectations placed on him. This is more about making sure a musician not only has talent but also practices the scales and techniques needed for a symphony orchestra than it is about suppressing creativity or individuality. Like many other sports, cricket involves a balance between natural talent and the self-discipline required to perform at the highest levels.

Arthur hopes that by combining individual strengths with team requirements, he will assist players like Akmal in realizing their full potential. Arthur's coaching methods are successful in developing not only stars but also well-rounded athletes who can make a substantial contribution to their teams because of this balanced approach to coaching.