Karachi (TIP): Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden says leadership would be key in the much-anticipated match between India and Pakistan at the T20 World Cup on Sunday, October 24. India would be led in the contest by the passionate Virat Kohli while Pakistan’s captain is Babar Azam, often cited as Kohli’s rival as a top-class batsman.

The marquee match will be played on the second day of the main tournament after the qualifying round. Hayden, currently working with the Pakistan team as a batting consultant, cited the examples of MS Dhoni and Eoin Morgan in leadership roles in the recent IPL. “Their individual performances were not as good as they have previously done as per their statistical records but the way they led their troops and conducted themselves played an important part in their teams reaching the IPL final in UAE conditions,” Hayden said.

No margin for error

Hayden said the margin for error will be very small in the big match. “I feel leadership will be key in the coming match as conditions in UAE leave very little margin for error and there are dogfight conditions out there,” Hayden said. He said Azam would have a huge role to play in the match as a leader and top batter. “There will be additional pressure on him as captain and batsman because he will be targeted and everyone will be wanting to, like they say, put him in their pocket,” Hayden said. “Babar has command and presence and he needs to fulfil that role in a batting sense and captain.”

KL, Pant threat

Hayden also said that having followed Indian cricket very closely over the years, he believed that KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant pose the biggest threat to Pakistan. “More or less I have watched KL Rahul grow and he is a major threat to Pakistan. I have watched him grow up as a boy. I have seen his struggles and his dominance in shorter formats,” Hayden said. “I have seen someone like Rishabh Pant, his brash nature and beautiful vision for the game, how he has destroyed bowling attacks because he has got the opportunity because he sees it that way.”

Matchless

Hayden said having been part of the sport for a very long time, he believes nothing matches the rivalry between Pakistan and India. “For an Australian obviously the Ashes and matches against England are tops but nothing matches the rivalry of these two teams,” he said.

Asked about his short-term role as consultant with the Pakistan team, Hayden said his main purpose was to bring calmness and control into the dressing room, telling the players to remain ever-present in play. “I have learnt for whatever reason you are always under pressure, you don’t need to create additional pressure to what the game demands,” Hayden said.

                Source:  PTI