Pakistani cricketer, Muhammad Rizwan, has gifted an English translation of the Holy Quran to coach Matthew Hayden.
Hayden reveals in his latest interview that he was curious about Islam and Rizwan gifted him the Holy Quran in English translation. “It was Rizzy (Mohammad Rizwan) and I have to say it was a beautiful moment I will never forget. I am curious about Islam even though I am a Christian. One follows Christ and the other Muhammad and in a sense never shall meet but he presented me with an English version of the Quran. We sat on the floor for half an hour and talked through it. I am reading a bit of it each day. Rizzy is one of my favorite individuals, a champion human being,” Hayden said.
Read more: Hayden calls Babar, Rizwan partnership unique in World Cup
Matthew Hayden has been impressed by the humbleness of the Pakistan cricket team, says that they connect to a higher level.
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“I was taken aback by how neutral and humble these guys are. How everything is just meant to be. It has been great fun. They are really coachable athletes as well. It stems from a deep sense of spirituality. As a westerner, you don’t realize the implications of having that commitment and faith. Even their salat – their five different prayer sessions a day. You can be outside a lift or even in a lift and if it is time for salat that is what happens. These guys connect at a higher level. It’s not like ”how ya going, today mate?” Hayden added.
In one of his previous interviews, Matthew Hayden had already praised the culture of spirituality in the Pakistan cricket team.
Hayden had said that the current unit of the Pakistan Cricket Team is united and focused on their ultimate goal. He said he has witnessed remarkable spirituality that bonds the team which he has not seen in any other team. Hayden said that the team has spectacular discipline. Mathew Hayden said that the whole team prays together and this is the incredible experience of his life.
Read more: Matthew Hayden impressed with spirituality, unity of Pak cricket team
“Every day there is this unbelievable discipline. You can be walking to the lift, and there will be prayer time and at the base of the lift, there will be the whole of the team praying in unison. It’s a phenomenal cultural experience for me personally,” Hayden stated.
“Hence, it is a phenomenal cultural experience for me, but to see the way they engage with each other, to see the way they engage with their sense of spirituality and purpose around their country is phenomenal,” the Australian great said.
“Inside the changing room I’ve never seen a more disciplined and more humble approach to winning,” he added.