On the back of a clinical bowling performance, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by five wickets in a do-or-die game against Bangladesh at the Adelaide Oval on November 06 (Sunday) and qualified for the semi-finals. Chasing a modest target of 128 runs, the Men in Green batted with caution to begin the run chase and later Pakistan batters changed gears swiftly to avoid any unnecessary setback.
After the game, Pakistan's team mentor and Australia's batting legend, Matthew Hayden addressed the Men in Green players inside the dressing. In a four-minute and 38-second video, the former Australian cricketer spoke his heart out and delivered an incredible motivational message to the Pakistan players as the team now gears up to play New Zealand in the semi-finals of the ongoing T20 World Cup.
"We had a pretty good day," said Hayden with a bright smile on his face.
"It's just a miracle that we are seeing unfold here but even before we got to this day, I sensed that we have this trust in the process, we weren't overcommitting ourselves in the training. We had a day off and we celebrated that day off. I think in T20 cricket, it's one of those games that you can overplay, overtrain for and overthink. When I look at this side and I have seen this for a while now, I think we are such a good reactive team. When we have got the energy, commitment and belief to (in) each other, then the magic just unfolds. And today was a magic day.
"Having said that, we win and we lose together. Today is a winning day and on any given day, there are always going to be people who will lose in winning day but that's for conversation months from now, who cares," the 51-year-old said.
Hayden went to laud the performance of Shaheen Afridi, who picked up a career-best four-wicket haul to help Pakistan restrict Bangladesh to a paltry 127/8 in 20 overs. The former left-handed batter underlined that Pakistan's batting was a little sketchy but also appreciated the effort of Mohammad Haris, who played a brilliant cameo of 31 runs in 18 balls with the help of one four and two sixes to put Pakistan in the driver's seat.
"Boys, we are dangerous, just understand the pressure," Hayden continued.
"The moment Pakistan cricket fires off with intent and starts to reveal its teeth, we become a real threat. There will be no one in this world and this competition that would want to face us right now. They thought they got rid of us, but now they are not going to get rid of us. We are here dug in and I actually love how we have gone about this compared to the last World Cup because the expectations were enormous in the last World Cup. We blew everyone off the face of the planet," he added.
Hayden then appreciated Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan's partnership while underlining that it is because of the Netherlands that we have got a chance to do something magical.
"It hasn't been smooth sailing. If it wasn't for the Dutch, we are not here. But we are here and it is powerful because no one wants to see us and that's the element of surprise we have got the advantage. Boys moving into the next couple of days, clear your minds. Be free and be fresh for whichever game we play and just unleash again with just good, positive intent. Play fearless cricket, almost forgettable cricket. Who cares what has happened over the last three weeks, we are here. So, well done. Just a magic day and you have to punch the smile off of my face," Hayden concluded.
Pakistan will lock horns against New Zealand in the first semi-final at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on November 09 (Wednesday).
