ICC T20 World Cup 2021: There Will Be Additional Pressure On Babar Azam, Says Matthew Hayden

Former Australian player Matthew Hayden said that there will be additional pressure on Pakistan skipper Babar Azam against India.

India and Pakistan will lock horns with each other after more than five years in T20I cricket when they play their first game of the Super 12 stage on October 24 in Dubai.

Pakistan have never won against India and have lost five times in past against them in the T20 World Cup.

Babar Azam will be targeted by his critics: Matthew Hayden

Babar Azam will be playing in his first T20 World Cup, and there will be a lot of responsibility on his shoulders to change Pakistan’s fortune against India and help the team to qualify for the semi-finals.

Hayden, who is appointed as Pakistan’s batting consultant for T20 World Cup, admitted that there will be additional pressure on the Pakistan captain.

“I have learned for whatever reason you are always under pressure, and you don’t need to create additional pressure to what the game demands,” Hayden said in a virtual press conference.

“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,” he added.

Babar Azam’s leadership will be key against India: Matthew Hayden

Babar is currently ranked the No.2 batsman in ICC Men’s T20I rankings, having amassed 2204 runs from 56 innings at an average of 46.89.

Hayden said that Babar Azam’s leadership role will be key for Pakistan in UAE conditions.

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

“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,” he added.

Pakistan won their first warm-up game against defending champions West Indies but lost to South Africa in a nail-biting run-chase in the next match.

Meanwhile, India turned out to be victorious against England and Australia in both of their warm-up matches.

Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2021: I Think We Will Win – Babar Azam On India-Pakistan Game