Matthew Hayden, Vernon Philander join Pakistan coaching setup for T20 World Cup

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have roped in Matthew Hayden and Vernon Philander as Pakistan’s batting and bowling coach respectively for the T20 World Cup. The development comes after head coach Misbah ul Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis resigned from their post.

Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja, who is recently took charge as the new PCB chairman said the appointment of Hayden and Philander will be a great plus for the team. Speaking on Hayden, Raja said: “The Australian can bring some aggression into the team. He has experience of World Cups and was a world-class player himself. Having an Australian in the dressing room will be of great benefit for us.” On Philander he said, “I know him well, he understands the nuances of bowling and he has a great record.”

The Australian opener is regarded as one of the best batsmen to have graced the game and was an integral part of the Australian team that dominated world cricket in the early 2000s. He also won two World Cups for Australia in 2003 and 2007. Meanwhile, Vernon Philander, who retired from the game in 2020, has over 250 wickets in international cricket.

Pakistan are placed alongside India, New Zealand, Afghanistan and two other qualifying teams in the T20 World Cup. They open their campaign against India on October 24, before taking on New Zealand and Afghanistan on October 26 and 29 respectively.

Ahead of the showpiece event, they will play New Zealand in three ODIs on September 17, 19 and 21 in Rawalpindi followed by five T20Is on September 25, 26, 29, and October 1 and 3 in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. They also play two T20Is against England in October.