Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has been appointed as the mentor of the Pakistan team for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 which will be played in Australia from October 16 onwards. Hayden had mentored the Men in Green to the semis of the tournament last year in UAE.
Hayden expressed confidence that the Pakistan team, with its set of strong players, will light up the mega event and the PCB has announced that he will join the Pakistan team in Brisbane on October 15, the day Pakistan arrive from Christchurch after competing in the T20I series also involving Bangladesh and hosts New Zealand.
PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said, "I welcome Matthew Hayden back in Pakistan colors. He is a proven performer with his credentials acknowledged and recognized world-over. He brings with him wealth of knowledge about Australia conditions and I am confident his involvement will significantly benefit our extremely talented cricketers for the World Cup and future tours Down Under."
The PCB had also hired South Africa's Vernon Philander for the last World Cup as bowling consultant. It was also revealed that the Pakistan board had found sponsors to cover the fees of Australian batting great.
Meanwhile, Hayden was quoted in a PCB release saying: "I am extremely excited to be reuniting with the Pakistan team and can't wait to join the culture again and feel the spirit of One Nation One Passion. I have seen how Pakistan have been performing in the ACC T20 Asia Cup and Sunday's win over India was brilliant.
I think this Pakistan side has got what it takes to excel in Australia and the conditions will really suit them, both from a batting and bowling perspective. This team has all of its bases covered and I am sure it will light up the World Cup as it did in the UAE last year.”
(PTI inputs)
