T20 World Cup 2021, India vs Pakistan: Matthew Hayden expects a real dogfight

As the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup is underway, the eyes are on the Super 12s, which start from Saturday. Meanwhile, India would play its opener against arch-rival Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. As it would undoubtedly be a blockbuster event, fans and former cricketers are all looking forward to it.

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Ahead of this thrilling encounter, Pakistan batting coach Matthew Hayden has stated that he is expecting nothing less than a real dogfight in this clash. “One side is not necessarily going to run away with it here. It’s going to be a real dogfight as the conditions and margins for errors are minimal. So, good leadership is going to be key,” he said, reports .

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“There is obvious pressure, but the pressure is only as much as you allow it to be. The preparations have been done, the experience is there, and now, there is the opportunity, a history-making opportunity. I think our players are pretty calm and looking forward to the game, all that had to be done is done, and now, it is the opportunity of playing the game,” he added.

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He also reckoned that Pakistan’s top batter Babar Azam would play a vital role in the department, along with pacer Shaheen Afridi. “I think Babar commands that presence, he commands that role, and he needs to fulfil that role. On the batting sense a well, Babar, I think he is the premium player, and he will be targeted.”

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“Shaheen bowled the penultimate over against South Africa, and despite going for two fours, including a streaky one, he bowled a great over. The penultimate over is critical in T20, so that added with his new-ball skills make him a top-performer,” he concluded. It would be the sixth clash between the two in the tournament, with Pakistan having lost all the five to date.