Matthew Hayden: “Their fast bowling stocks are amazing with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, who wasn’t available for selection in the last World Cup. That’s a big comeback. With Mohammad Amir and Haris Rauf, they form a pretty strong pace attack”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Australia opening batsman Matthew Hayden has lauded Pakistan’s pace attack, saying the country’s “fast bowling stocks are amazing”.
Hayden, who has worked with the men in green in the past, envisions the pace quartet of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Amir playing a pivotal role in the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup.
All four bowlers bowl at good pace and are capable of taking wickets and winning games for Pakistan, which is what will be expected of them throughout the tournament.
However, the men in green haven’t done well as they lost their first two games against the United States of America and India.
“Their fast bowling stocks are amazing with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, who wasn’t available for selection in the last World Cup. That’s a big comeback. With Mohammad Amir and Haris Rauf, they form a pretty strong pace attack,” Hayden was quoted as saying by PakPassion on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Recently, Pakistan drew 2-2 with New Zealand in a five-match T20I series and then beat Ireland 2-1 in a three-match T20I series.
After that, the men in green faced England in four T20Is and ended up losing 2-0.
Pakistan are on the verge of being eliminated from the T20 World Cup and will look to claim a much-needed victory when they go up against Canada in New York on June 11.
Pakistan Squad for 2024 T20 World Cup: Babar Azam (capt), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan (wk), Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed