Former Australian opener and Pakistan team mentor Matthew Hayden has backed under-performing skipper Babar Azam to come good in the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final clash against New Zealand at Sydney Cricket Ground on November 9.
"...don't be surprised whatsoever if you don't see some fireworks because very special players don't often stay down for long," Hayden said in the pre-match press conference.
"There's no question that Babar has been under some adversity. That will make him not only an even greater player...You can't continue to keep on punching out hundreds and 50s and strike rates of 140-plus.
"There's got to be moments in time where there's a lull. And as we all know about the weather, once there's a lull, there's often a storm that follows. So look out, rest of the world, because I think you're about to see something very special from Babar."
So far, Babar has scored just 39 runs from five innings with a strike rate just over 60. Even in a low-scoring run chase against Bangladesh in the must-win game, he could score 25 runs from 33 deliveries. Along with Babar, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been struggling as well which is one of the reasons why Pakistan faced the dangling sword of an early exit.
However, with some stroke of luck and a spirited Netherlands side choking the South Africans, Pakistan finished second on the group 2 points table.
"It has been a rollercoaster ride but I wouldn't have it any other way, because the last World Cup we went into the semi-final undefeated, and Australia pipped us," the 51-year-old said.
"So, yeah, there's ups and downs in this tournament, but I really believe yet with our best game, which is a huge threat to our opposition.
"The way the middle order has stepped up to the plate has been excellent and those fast bowlers, man, there's four of them and they come at great pace."
Meanwhile, he lauded youngster Mohammad Haris – the Fakhar Zaman replacement – whose cameos played a major role in Pakistan’s consecutive wins at Super 12 stage.
"Whilst it (batting) hasn't gone absolutely to plan, it's meant that our middle order players have had to step up, and young Haris has been one of those.
"Great story, really significant story of any World Cup. Not even in the squad and now performing like he should have been there from the start." Hayden feels Haris' net sessions against the pacers helped.
"It's no surprise to see how he came in and played so beautifully. He's got a very good technique on our fast bouncy wickets. He's got a freshness," he said.
"One of the things as an outsider coming into this tournament is pretty much the entire cricketing community with the amount of programme is fatigued to some degree.
“So to have a young, fresh face with nothing to lose, nothing really to gain, but just play with great freedom has been a wonderful expression for him personally but also for team Pakistan.”
