Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Mohammad Kaif has expressed his sympathy for the Pakistan cricket team amidst the heavy criticism it is facing for its embarrassing losses to the United States and India in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Kaif admitted that the Pakistan team performed extremely poorly in their first two Group A matches in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, but lamented the lack of support from fans and former players amid their struggles. However, the Men in Green defeated Canada by seven wickets in their third game.
Mohammad Kaif expresses solidarity with Pakistan amid strong criticism at the 2024 T20 World Cup
Mohammad Kaif said on Star Sports: “The prayers of the fans are not with them. There’s a commotion there. Who supports them? “Everyone is against them, whether they are talking about their former players, I am watching everything, no one supports them, even if they have played extremely badly.”
Well, the former Indian batsman further pointed out specific instances of poor play, such as Mohammad Amir’s wides during a crucial Super Over against the United States and then his inability to chase a modest total of 119 in the following match against Team India.
Kaif emphasized that despite a massive victory over Canada, Pakistan did not show a commendable performance that deserved praise. Furthermore, the commentator criticized the team’s inability to handle pressure situations, citing instances where key players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan failed to capitalize on their starts in matches and lost the game.
They did nothing there that should be praised: Mohammad Kaif
He further noted, “In the first match, Mohammad Amir was bowling in the Super Over. It was extremely poor bowling. You lost that match by bowling. In the next game, they could not chase 119. They batted poorly and lost catches. I understand they beat Canada, but they didn’t do anything there that you should praise them for.”
Meanwhile, Kaif told that Babar faced India and could have won the match, and even Rizwan was also prepared, but still, the Men in Green lost the match because they collapsed under the pressure. He said Pakistan lost catches and cannot bat under pressure, adding to their woes in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.
Will luck help Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup?
The former Indian batsman also mentioned Pakistan’s historic luck in ICC tournaments, saying that the Men in Green sometimes qualify unexpectedly despite inconsistent performances, all thanks to their luck. Kaif said that luck is working in his favor at a time when Pakistan is qualifying for playoffs when they are practically eliminated, hinting at a similar miracle in this tournament too.
Kaif concluded by saying, “We have seen it many times. They haven’t played well but luck favors them. If the match between Ireland and the United States occurs and Ireland wins and Pakistan wins the next match, both will have four points and the net run rate will be reduced.”
Notably, Pakistan will play their final Group A match of the T20 World Cup 2024 against Ireland on June 16 at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida. They currently sit third in the Group A points table with two points.
