'Can lift the World Cup,' says team mentor Matthew Hayden about Pakistan

Team mentor Matthew Hayden has expressed confidence that the current Pakistan side have the capability to lift a World Cup, despite their five-wicket loss to England in the final.

"Nothing has changed. I am confident that this group of young men can lift the World Cup," Hayden said in in a heartwarming dressing room speech that was posted to Twitter by the team management.

With the 50-over ODI World Cup to played in India next year Hayden had this to say: "I am confident that with some clarity on how to move forward from this tournament, how to celebrate some good performances and how to also acknowledge some of the weaknesses we have had in the last one month, that come the World Cup in India, again we'll be celebrating getting somewhere near the World Cup."


Hayden said he was proud of the way the team fought back to get into the final after losing their first two matches to India and Zimbabwe.

"I hope each one of you boys feel proud of the achievements of this playing group. I just want to say thank you for sharing your dressing room, sharing your hearts, your mind, your spirit and also putting in your absolute 100% into this campaign. On behalf of the support staff, we just feel so honoured and privileged to be a part of that story," he said.

Acknowledging the team would be hurting after their final loss to England at the MCG, Hayden said, "It's really amazing to think how far we have come in this tournament, and I know you got to be hurting. It does hurt but the reality is that we are so close,"

Hayden signed off with a round of applause for those players who didn't get many chances to be in the playing eleven. "Every game, they tried their best in the nets. Bowling, throwing and I think that deserves a round of applause," he said.