Matthew Hayden’s ties with Pakistan cricket run deep, having served as their mentor in two T20 World Cups. The aftermath of the disastrous ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign finds the Men in Green in disarray, finishing fifth in the points table with a mere four wins. Resignations from key figures, including Babar Azam, Morne Morkel, and Inzamam-ul-Haq, reflect the team’s tumultuous state.
Zaka Ashraf’s decision to dismiss the entire selection committee, coupled with the likely departure of foreign coaches, further signals a shakeup. Hayden, acknowledging Babar Azam’s natural leadership qualities, suggests that Pakistan might have rushed into appointing him as captain, considering his impressive batting average of 50+ while leading the team.
“Babar Azam was a natural leader and a good choice, but Pakistan shot the gun a bit too early as far as his leadership was concerned. His batting average was 50+ plus while leading the team,” Matthew Hayden said.
Hayden delves into the root causes of Pakistan’s subpar performance, citing the absence of Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi not being at their best. He points out the disappointing performances of Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, while also noting Fakhar Zaman’s delayed impact.
In his assessment, Hayden attributes Pakistan’s struggles not to leadership issues but rather to broader structural challenges within the cricketing setup in the country.
