Pakistan have "ability to turn up in big moments," says Matthew Hayden

Pakistan have had a "rollercoaster" route to the semi-finals, something Hayden believes will work to their advantage. Picking out their key performers, he identified Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan and the fast bowlers

Many people had written Pakistan off after losing their opening two matches of the 2022 T20 World Cup, the second of which was a shock defeat against Zimbabwe.

Back-to-back wins ensured they remained outside bets for a top-two finish before the Netherlands handed them a golden opportunity, defeating South Africa by 13 runs to not only eliminate the Proteas but also throw group two wide open.

Pakistan took their chance, beating Bangladesh by five wickets, and are now just two wins away from a second T20 World Cup crown.

It's a turnaround reminiscent of the 1992 Cricket World Cup, when Imran Khan's Pakistan recovered from losing four of their first five matches to lift the title, and team mentor, Matthew Hayden, has praised his side's "ability to turn up in big moments." Furthermore, he believes their "rollercoaster" route to the last four will prove beneficial.

"Shadab [Khan] actually said something very significant in the dugout the other day. He said, 'Welcome to Pakistan cricket', meaning that on any given day, anything can happen," Hayden said. "On that particular day, when Netherlands beat South Africa, it was a significant moment for us in the tournament. There was very much an uplifting tempo in our group, which made that match against Bangladesh almost a certainty for Pakistan.

^{Shaheen Shah Afridi is returning to his best [Sarah Reed/Getty Images]}

"It's been a rollercoaster ride, but a ride that I wouldn't have any other way because the last World Cup that we went into, we were undefeated, and Australia pipped us in the semi-final.

"The last campaign we were on a high from pretty much the start: won all the pool matches and then pipped by a better side on the day. We've gone about our cricket in a pretty unique way."

Hayden singled out Mohammad Haris for praise, labelling the batter's 11-ball 28 against South Africa "a breath of fresh air" that "awakened" his teammates. The 21-year-old was only brought into the squad as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman but is one of several players in the middle order to step up in the Super 12s.

"[Haris] is a really significant story of [this] World Cup: not even in the squad and now performing like he should have been there from the start," he said. "Against South Africa, the batting line-up had to dig deep and Shadab was unbelievable.

"The middle order have stood up. It's been special. And it hasn't just been through one particular player, three or four players have really had a go with great intent."

Addressing their fast bowling arsenal, he continued: "Shaun Tait has done a great job in preparing the fast bowlers. Shaheen, who came into the tournament with some injuries, is starting to hit his straps.

"We have four quicks who are all significant players in their own right. Wasim Jr, Naseem [Shah] bowled beautifully [against South Africa], Haris Rauf had a lot of experience through the Big Bash.

"Lots of solid performances but in particular, the arrival of [Mohammad] Haris and brilliance of Shadab and our four or five fast bowlers."

^{Hayden singled Mohammad Haris out for praise [Cameron Spencer/Getty Images]}

Two players who have, however, struggled in Australia are Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. The skipper, in particular, is out of touch, scoring just 39 runs at a strike rate of 61.90, but Hayden isn't worried.

"Babar and Rizwan rightly are our No.1 combination," he said. "[In 2007] Adam Gilchrist had a lean World Cup [during] that undefeated campaign for Australia. In the last match against Sri Lanka, he went on to score an incredible hundred and realised his potential.

"We all feel pressure at times in our career. Cricket, when it's all said and done, is a very difficult game. You can't continue to keep punching out hundreds and fifties and strike rates of 140-plus. There's got to be moments when there's a lull.

"Don't be surprised whatsoever if you see some fireworks because very special players don't often stay down for long."

As for New Zealand, who Pakistan have beaten three times in their past four meetings, Hayden is completely aware of the "threats" they pose: "They played Australia and got 200 on this particular wicket, Dev Conway was incredibly destructive, and Australia capitulated all out for 111.

"Clearly, New Zealand have some really destructive players, you can be put under pressure with the bat. They've also got a terrific bowling attack, well-balanced. Tim Southee can swing the ball, Lockie Ferguson has great pace, and they've got good off-pace bowling as well.

"New Zealand punch above their weight, they believe they can win this tournament and they've got the potential to do that. Lots of threats to our camp, no question."

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