Brett Lee: ‘Not surprising that Pakistan are a better team under the guidance of Hayden’

• Brett Lee believes it is not surprising to see Pakistan improve
• Pakistan will compete against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the final on Sunday
• Lee believes that one of the key factors in the unflappable Hayden’s success

Brett Lee, a legendary fast bowler from Australia, believes it is not surprising to see Pakistan improve under the leadership of team manager Matthew Hayden in the current Men’s T20 World Cup.

After defeats by India and Zimbabwe, Pakistan was on the verge of being eliminated. but recovered to overcome South Africa, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands in addition to the Dutch victory over the Proteas to get to the semifinals.

Pakistan will compete against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the final on Sunday after overcoming New Zealand in the semifinal. Lee is not at all shocked by the fact that Hayden, who Pakistan hired as their squad mentor, has had a significant impact on the side’s erratic performance.

“It doesn’t surprise me that, under the guidance of Haydos, Pakistan are a better unit. Because he’s such an inspirational character. He’s always been that way. He’s always been a leader.”

“He’s always been a person that speaks from the heart and a person that will call it out if it’s not right. And I like that about Haydos. There’s so much transparency. He doesn’t beat around the bush,” Lee was quoted

Lee believes that one of the key factors in the unflappable Hayden’s success with Pakistan is that while having a successful playing career for Australia, he never let the grandeur of the game intimidate him.

“He was a big-game player. He loved the big occasion. He wasn’t overawed by the big crowds and stature of playing in a World Cup, or an Ashes, or a Boxing Day Test.”

“His record in those big, big games would be among the best of his career because he knew how to compartmentalize and put things into perspective to get the best out of him as an athlete.”

“All these things he’s learnt from playing at that top level in these pressure situations that he’s passed on now to Pakistan, it’d be to back yourself, play with that freedom. I can almost hear the words he’s saying in the changerooms to the guys about having that confidence to express yourself as an athlete and be the best version of yourself.”

“Whereas a lot of people get to those big situations, and we saw it with India, where they second-guess themselves, they’re hesitant, the’re a bit overawed by the situation. Some people, it brings out the best in them, and one person it brought the best out of was Matthew Hayden”.

Lee concluded by expressing his satisfaction with Hayden’s work as the Pakistan team’s coach at the T20 World Cup.

“When I was a teammate of his, and we played so many matches together and commentated together, the way that he prepares for stuff, the way that he expects perfection every single time, is what made Matthew Hayden the cricketer that he was, but also the person that he is. I’m really happy for him … I’m really proud of what he’s achieved.”

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