PCB appoints Matthew Hayden and Vernon Philander as coaches for T20 World Cup 2021

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced the inclusion of two new coaches for the upcoming marquee ICC T20 World Cup 2021. The cricket board appointed former Australian opener Matthew Hayden and former South African speedster Vernon Philander as two coaches for the World Cup in the UAE.

The inclusions of the two aforementioned coaches were announced by newly-appointed PCB chief Ramiz Raja.

The development came almost a fortnight after Pakistan’s head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis stepped down from their respective positions after serving the country’s cricket board for two years.

“I think the Pakistan team needs a new direction. We have appointed Hayden and Philander for the World Cup,” Raja said during a press conference.

“Matthew Hayden is Australian, and has experience of winning World Cups and was a great player himself,” PCB’s newly-elected chairman Ramiz Raja said.

“It might be very beneficial to have an Australian occupying the dressing room. And Pakistan, of course, can win the World Cup, they just need to improve their performances an extra 10%.

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“Vernon Philander I know very well, and he understands bowling and has a great record against Australia,” Ramiz added.

Raza further stated that the main objective is to improve the performance of Pakistan’s national team in ICC events.

The upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021 is scheduled in the UAE which is adjudged as a second home to Pakistan national team. The cricket board believe that it has a good chance to win the coveted trophy against the likes of India, England, West Indies and Australia.

PCB earlier signed former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq as interim coaches for the series against New Zealand.

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