‘Watched Indian players closely’ Hayden confident for win against India

DUBAI: Pakistan team’s batting consultant Matthew Hayden is keen to share his observations regarding Indian players with the Green Shirts before their highly-anticipated contest with arch-rivals in T20 World Cup on October 24. 

In a virtual media session conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday, Hayden, who commentated in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, said India has some really good players such as KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant who can rattle the opposition on their day.

“I have closely watched Indian players in recent times. They have KL Rahul who has grown up with a strong cricketing mind. Then they have Rishabh Pant who has a cheeky smile and good sense of cricket,” he shared.

“Overall, the Indian squad is strong but we also have some really good cricketers in Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and others. See, it’s obviously a pressure game, the team who will execute their plan strongly will win, as simple as that,” he said.

READ: Ramiz Raja won’t charge single penny from PCB as chairman

Meanwhile, Hayden also talked about his short stint with the Pakistan team and shared that he hasn’t thought about a long-term stay. “I have never thought of things that are too far in my life ever. I plan things when they come to me. I am here with the Pakistan team for T20 World Cup, and I am just sticking to it and want this team to win mega event. Rest is just the future and I can’t predict it,” he added.

The batting consultant further said that calmness will be the key for his team to do wonders in the multi-nation tournament.

“One thing I would say to my players is ‘be calm’. Calmness can do big things for you. If you create panic in any situation, you lose things,” he shared.

READ: Ramiz Raja won’t charge single penny from PCB as chairman