Pakistan have announced the inclusion of former Australia opener Matthew Hayden and South Africa pacer Vernon Philander as a part of their coaching staff ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.
Pakistan Announces New Support Staff for T20 WC
The PCB had earlier roped in former Test spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq as interim coaches for the home series against New Zealand.
Hayden has significant experience of winning silverware, given his role as part of the dominant Australia sides of the 2000s – he has two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup trophies in his cabinet. He was also the highest run-getter of the 2007 Men’s T20 World Cup, with 265 runs in six matches.
Philander, who retired last year with 269 international wickets, gives Pakistan’s pace attack another experienced head to turn to for expertise, following Waqar Younis’ resignation along with Misbah.
“Matthew Hayden is Australian, and has experience of winning World Cups and was a great player himself,” Ramiz said. “It might be very beneficial to have an Australian occupying the dressing room.
“And Pakistan, of course, can win the World Cup, they just need to improve their performances an extra 10%. Vernon Philander I know very well, and he understands bowling and has a great record against Australia.
“The national side has the potential to win the World Cup, and we need to back the side selected for the global event.
“We need to fine-tune our plans. Pakistan cricket’s DNA consists of fearlessness, and we need to define a proper model and provide clarity to achieve desired results.”
“I think the Pakistan team needs a new direction. We have appointed Hayden and Philander for the World Cup,” Raja said during a press conference.
“Going forward, we will have to carry out an extensive exercise in this regard in order to look for people who fit our model. “Our objective is to give this team the best possible options so that it leads to improvement in performances,” he added.
Pakistan T20 WC Squad
Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Azam Khan, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim,Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood, Traveling reserves – Fakhar Zaman , Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir
Pakistan T20 WC Schedule
October 24: India vs Pakistan 7:30 pm Dubai
October 26: Pakistan vs New Zealand 7:30 pm Sharjah
October 29: Afghanistan vs Pakistan – 7:30 pm Dubai
November 2: Pakistan vs Runner Up of Group A (A2) – 7:30 pm Abu Dhabi
November 7: Pakistan vs Winner of Group B (B1) – 7:30 pm Sharjah
