PAK vs AUS LIVE: Australia will face off against Pakistan in the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup, which will see two former Australian openers Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden have the unlikeliest of reunions off the field. Now having donned the coaching hats, the two will face off for the first time as opposition as they look to help their teams reach the final. While Justin langer has been at the helm of the team over the past two years, Hayden took the Pakistan job just before the T20 World Cup, coinciding with the appointment of new PCB chief Ramiz Raja.
PAK vs AUS LIVE: Having opened the batting for 6 years together, coaches Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden face off in T20 World Cup semi-final
Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer opened the batting for six years together as they were amongst the stalwarts of Australia’s golden generation which dominated cricket under the leadership of Steve Waugh and then Ricky Ponting. The duo remain the second most successful opening pair in the history of the game after Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, aggregating 6081 runs batting together, the fourth most runs in partnership overall.
Both share a brotherly bond off the pitch as well, with Hayden being one of Langer’s biggest supporters as he received immense scrutiny over his methods in recent months. However, now Hayden will have to go to battle against his former partner and outthink him as Pakistan’s batting consultant having taken the job, right before the T20 World Cup. With a palace in the final up for grabs, both Langer and Hayden will be at their competitive best even if it is from their respective seats in the dugout.
PAK vs AUS LIVE: Having opened the batting for 6 years together, coaches Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden face off in T20 World Cup semi-final
Former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey, who played with Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden briefly, said that the game would not affect the relationship the duo share. Speaking to Fox Sports’ Follow On podcast, Hussey said, “It’s a good story, isn’t it. But I don’t think there’s a lot in it. They’re still great mates and they’ll always be great mates. It wouldn’t matter even if Matthew Hayden was the head coach of Pakistan and Justin Langer the head coach of Australia, it wouldn’t change their friendship and their relationship.”
Even the players in the Australia team are seeing the lighter side of the Matthew Hayden Justin Langer matchup. Mitchell Marsh, who scored a fifty against West Indies in the last game, said, “I think they might go sit on the wicket together and do a bit of meditation, maybe the two big fellas. I’m sure there will be plenty of love. But knowing those two, they’re extremely competitive so once they get there, they’ll have a hug and that’ll be it I reckon.”
PAK vs AUS LIVE: Having opened the batting for 6 years together, coaches Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden face off in T20 World Cup semi-final
