It's a different cup of tea when you face Shaheen Afridi: Matthew Hayden

Pakistan batting consultant Matthew Hayden says that facing Shaheen Afridi is a different cup of tea for Indian batters who were used to facing deliveries of 130 KMPH in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Pakistan beat India for the first time in a World Cup clash recently in a Super 12 clash, a match they won convincingly by 10 wickets. "They (the Indian batters) had been facing 130 KMPH deliveries for the last month during the IPL. It's a different cup of tea when you are facing someone running and bowling at Shaheen Shah Afridi's pace," Hayden told Fox Cricket.

Hayden added that it was courageous of Shaheen to attempt a yorker in the very first over. He dismissed Rohit Sharma for a golden duck with a similar delivery. “They were the best two balls that I've seen in five weeks. A fast in-swinging yorker and the courage that it takes to bowl that delivery against Rohit Sharma with the new ball is admirable,” he said. 

Speaking of Rohit's opening partner KL Rahul's dismissal, Hayden said, “I don't think I have not seen the ball hitting Rahul's middle of the bat in five weeks and then he gets that delivery. That was like the two punch combination that sent India on the backfoot in the powerplay,” Hayden added.

After a win over India, Pakistan went on to beat New Zealand by seven wickets and are tipped to be firm contenders for the title. They take on Afghanistan in Dubai on Friday (October 29) in a bid to make it three in a row in the mega event.

India, on the other hand, will play New Zealand on Sunday (October 31) at the same venue.