Pakistan’s Matthew Hayden admitted Babar Azam’s struggles with the bat at the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2022 but stressed that everyone is about to see something very special from the captain as the Men in Green gear up to take on New Zealand in the first semi-final on November 9 at SCG.
Babar has been a big failure for Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022, as he could score only 39 runs in five matches, and the Men in Green would love to see the stat batter do well in the final round of the mega event, and the Aussie feels the skipper will be able to stun the oppositions with his comeback.
Well, it is a fact that Pakistan would not have reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2022 if the Netherlands didn’t give South Africa the biggest setback of the tournament, and Hayden accepted it.
However, the mentor warned India, England, and New Zealand by saying that they should be wary of the Pakistan team, as they are yet to play their best at the T20 World Cup 2022, and it could come in the final round of the tournament in Australia.
Matthew Hayden said in a press conference, “When the Netherlands beat South Africa, it was a significant moment for us, a very significant moment for the team in general around reaching its potential.”
He added, “Lots of prayers as Pakistan woke up to see that result, 232 million people can’t be wrong, and as a result of that I feel there has been very much an uplift in tempo in our group. It has been a roller-coaster… but I really believe we have yet to play our best game, which is a huge threat to opposition.”
Speaking on Babar’s form, the team mentor said: “There’s no question Babar has been under some adversity but that will only make him an even greater player. We know with the weather that when there’s a lull, there’s often a storm that follows, so look out rest of the world because I think we’re about to see something very special from Babar.”
The first semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022 will be played at the SCG, the venue where New Zealand thrashed Australia by 89 runs in their tournament opener, and Hayden admitted that Pakistan will have a tough task ahead against the Black Caps.
Hayden said on New Zealand, “They got 200 on this particular wicket against Australia… New Zealand has some really destructive players and they can put you under pressure with the bat. They’ve also got a terrific, well-balanced bowling attack.”
He signed off by saying, “Like New Zealand sport in general, they really punch above their weight, they believe they can win this tournament and they have the potential to do that. So, lots of threats to our camp, no question.”
(With AFP Inputs)
