'I feel leadership will be key' - Matthew Hayden opens up ahead of India-Pakistan clash

India and Pakistan are all set to lock horns with each other for their opening fixture of the T20 World Cup. However, ahead of the match, the former Australia opener Matthew Hayden feels that leadership will play a pivotal role in the high-profile clash. Hayden who is associated with the Men in Green as a batting consultant asserted that owing to the UAE conditions, the margin of error will be very little for the teams.

He also touched upon the examples of MS Dhoni and Eoin Morgan. He stated that in the IPL 2021, both of the captains did not have a good run with their willow but they led their sides exceptionally well.

“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. 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 as reported by cricket.com.

There will be additional pressure on Babar Azam as captain and batsman: Matthew Hayden

Babar Azam has been one of the pivotal cogs of Pakistan’s wheel. His contributions to the team in the mega event are important. According to Hayden, the Pakistan captain will have the additional pressure of batting and leading the side as well.

“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. Babar has command and presence and he needs to fulfill that role in a batting sense and captain,” Hayden said.

Hayden also added that KL Rahul is one Indian batter who can pose a great threat to Pakistan in the high-profile clash on October 24. Hayden added that Rahul has gone on to dominate the shorter formats in a recent while and he has seen him do a lot of struggles in his career.