Pakistan have announced the inclusion of former Australian opener, Matthew Hayden and South African pacer, Vernon Philander as a part of the coaching staff ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. A head coach is likely to be announced soon.
The newly-elected Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ramiz Raja made the announcement of Hayden and Philander’s addition in his first Press Conference in the new role.
Hayden, as a player, has already garnered experience with two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup trophies in his cabinet. In the T20s, Hayden finished as 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 wickets across formats, comes with the idea of propelling the bowling department up-a-notch to give player’s added confidence in pressure situations.
“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,” added Ramiz.