Pakistan rope in Hayden & Philander as coaches for T20 WC 2021

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have roped in former Australia batter Matthew Hayden and former South Africa pacer Vernon Philander for the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled between October 17 to November 14 in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Hayden and Philander’s appointment come in the backdrop of recent resignations of Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis, who stepped down from their positions as head coach and bowling coach, respectively. While PCB announced Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq as the interim coaches of the national team for Pakistan’s upcoming home series against New Zealand, the board went ahead with foreign coaches for the multi-team tournament in the emirates.

Regarded as one of the most explosive openers, Hayden represented Australia in 103 Tests, 161 ODIs and 9 T20Is between 1994 and 2009, amassing 8625, 6133 and 308 runs respectively, including 40 international centuries. Protea pacer Philander, meanwhile, has represented his nation in 64 Tests, 30 ODIs and 7 T20Is, scalping 224, 41 and 4 wickets, respectively. He announced his retirement in 2020.

The decision was announced on September 13 by Ramiz Raja, who was sworn in as the PCB chief, replacing Ehsan Mani the same day. Raja was elected unanimously and unopposed, having been nominated by Prime Minister and PCB’s patron-in-chief Imran Khan.

As for Misbah and Waqar, the former cited Pakistan’s packed cricket schedule in the coming year and spending considerable time away from family in bio-secure bubbles as the primary reason behind his decision, while Waqar, taking a cue from him, stepped aside stating that the duo took over the reins together, and must leave together too.

Pakistan – grouped alongside India, New Zealand and Afghanistan – begin their T20 World Cup campaign on October 24 against arch-rivals India, before meeting New Zealand (October 26), Afghanistan (October 29) and the remaining qualifying teams on November 7 and 9. Pakistan last won the tournament in 2009.

In their build-up for the marquee tournament, Pakistan is set to host New Zealand for eight white-ball games, starting with ODIs on September 17, 19 and 21 in Rawalpindi. The ODIs will be followed by five T20Is on September 25, 26, 29, and October 1 and 3 in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.