“Those little snippets show how much he invests himself in any commitment he has, any relationship he has. So it’s far from just being a job opportunity to earn some money and make a good resume around coaching and counselling. It’s something he takes very seriously, as mike hussey would with England.”
Gilchrist, who is part of the ICC’s official commentary team in the tournament, said the praise that Pakistani players shower towards Hayden is evident from the outsider. After reaching the semi-finals in Adelaide, Gilchrist said his former opening partner’s impact on the group was evident from the off-field interactions.
“Based on the evidence, my son and I were passing through the airport after the Adelaide matches and the Pakistani team was in transit and they were all revolving around Haydos,” Adam Gilchrist said.
“Pay attention to every word. It was amazing. I think it just summed it up. He has pride and passion in any role. Arguably the biggest part in making the partnership work is that it is a two-way road. Hayden has a lot of knowledge to give, but if players aren’t ready to listen, absorb, and act, it’s all for nothing.
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Pakistan have advanced in this tournament, and now 40 overs away from a third World Cup trophy, is testimony to this group’s resilience and approach towards improvement. Adam Gilchrist says it’s a complete experience for Hayden to play a mentor.
“In talking to him, what really impresses him and he finds quite enjoyable from his role and role point of view is how eager the Pakistan players are to try and absorb any information from him,” Gilchrist said.
“Any knowledge, any experience he was able to get from a Hall-of-Fame career, especially around the World Cup, playing so successfully and prominently in some World Cups.”
It has been hailed as one of the greatest T20 World Cup performances of all time, and has made England favourites to win at the MCG. But to take England’s charge as a chilling threat would be to completely misunderstand this group of Pakistan.