Updated On: 09 November, 2022 07:55 AM IST | Sydney | PTI
Pakistan team mentor Matthew backs under-fire skipper to perform against gritty Kiwis; NZ captain Kane Williamson wary of opponent’s pace battery

Pakistan mentor Matthew Hayden (left) and skipper Babar Azam at a training session. Pics/Getty Images
Pakistan team mentor Matthew Hayden has backed his under-fire skipper Babar Azam to produce “something very special” in the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup. Babar has failed to fire in the ongoing showpiece, with a 33-ball 25 against Bangladesh being his best in the last five matches.
“Don’t be surprised whatsoever if you don’t see some fireworks because very special players don’t often stay down for long,” Hayden said during the pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final against New Zealand.