Mickey Arthur has paid tribute to “inspirational” captain Sarfaraz Ahmed in the wake of Pakistan’s bittersweet World Cup exit.

A fourth straight win, against Bangladesh at Lord’s on Friday, was not enough to secure a semi-final spot as Pakistan paid the price for a poor start to the tournament.

Three defeats in their opening five games, including a hammering at the hands of rivals India, invited heavy criticism from past players and the public – some of it personal – and culminated in Sarfaraz being confronted by a supporter while out with his family.

A video of that incident was widely shared on social media in what proved a turning point for the Pakistan campaign as Sarfaraz and his players came out fighting.

Speaking after the Bangladesh game, coach Arthur said, “I must credit our captain Sarfaraz after what he was exposed to. The behaviour towards him after the match against India was atrocious.

“The way he held his composure, the way he led from the front, the way his work ethics never changed, he has been an inspiration for our dressing room. Sarfaraz deserves a lot of credit for that.”

Pakistan’s early departure came down to net run rate as New Zealand progressed despite a six-wicket defeat to Sarfaraz’s side at Edgbaston, leading Arthur to question the tournament rules.

“I would have liked the ICC to consider head-to-head because we would be in the semi-final,” he said.

Elimination has already precipitated the end of one veteran’s ODI career, Shoaib Malik announcing his retirement from the format, but Pakistan can boast the youngest player to take five wickets in a World Cup match in Shaheen Shah Afridi, while Imam-ul-Haq is now his country’s youngest centurion in the history of the competition.

“The average age of our side is just 24, that’s something to be really proud about and it bodes well for the future of Pakistan cricket,” said Arthur.