Matthew Hayden says his knowledge of Australia gives Pakistan an advantage over pal Justin Langer

Matthew Hayden believes being a ‘warrior’ of Australian cricket gives him an advantage over his old friend and batting partner Justin Langer as Pakistan’s batting coach takes on his native country in T20 semi-final

  • In-form Pakistan take on Australia in the second T20 semi-final on Thursday
  • Pakistan’s batting coach Matthew Hayden will be taking on his native country
  • Hayden and Australia head coach Justin Langer were long-term batting partners
  • Hayden believes his knowledge of Australian cricket gives Pakistan the edge 


Pakistan batting coach Matthew Hayden admitted Thursday’s second T20 World Cup semi-final against his native Australia in Dubai will be a ‘challenge of the heart and mind’ as he prepares to come up against his old friend and opening partner Justin Langer.

With Pakistan, the tournament’s only unbeaten side, looking to win the trophy for the second time, following their triumph in England in 2009, and Australia aiming to break their T20 World Cup duck, the meeting of Hayden and Langer – once inseparable in the middle – has added an unexpectedly personal twist.

‘It is a very unusual feeling,’ said the 50-year-old Hayden, who won the last of his 103 Test caps in January 2009. ‘I was a warrior for Australian cricket over two decades, so that does give me the benefit of having wonderful insights, not only into these players but also into the culture of cricket in Australia.

Langer's Australia take on Pakistan on Thursday with a final spot against England or New Zealand the prize

Pakistan batting coach Matthew Hayden (left) will come up against Justin Langer (right) in their T20 World Cup semi-final with Australia

Hayden (left) and Langer (right) used to open the batting for Australia and are good friends

Hayden (left) and Langer (right) used to open the batting for Australia and are good friends

‘From my point of view there is the challenge of the heart, the challenge of the mind in terms of what’s going to happen over the next 24 hours, but I’ll also say very proudly that it’s been wonderful to be a part of Pakistan cricket.’

Between 2001 and 2007, Hayden and Langer – Australia’s head coach for the last three and a half years – put on 5,655 Test runs at an average of 51. 

Among opening partnerships in Test cricket, only West Indies’ Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes have managed more. But Hayden did his best to play down the coaching head-to-head. 

‘Justin Langer and myself are in similar positions, insofar as a national coach or a batting coach never wins a game of cricket,’ he said. ‘The 11 that take part in the game win the game, and we are back-up only.’

Hayden's (left) Pakistan have won their last 16 T20 matches in the UAE since November 15

Hayden’s (left) Pakistan have won their last 16 T20 matches in the UAE since November 15

Langer's Australia have bounced back since losing to England on October 30

Langer’s Australia have bounced back since losing to England on October 30

Meanwhile, Australian captain Aaron Finch knows his side will be hard pushed to defeat a confident Pakistan team who have won their last 16 T20 matches in the UAE – a sequence stretching back to November 15 in Sharjah, when England beat them in a super over after a tie.

Equally, Australia have bounced back strongly from their eight-wicket mauling by Eoin Morgan’s team in Dubai on October 30, thrashing Bangladesh and West Indies, and pipping South Africa to the last four on net run-rate.

‘In the lead-up to the tournament, you tend to hear things or see the odd quote or comment that people have written you off,’ said Finch. ‘It’s interesting how the narrative can change really quick. About 10 days ago, our team was too old, and now we’re an experienced team.

‘I don’t think we’ve exceeded our expectations whatsoever. We came here with a really clear plan to win this tournament, and we’re still alive to do that.’

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