"Who is supporting them?" - Mohammad Kaif on Pakistan fans and former players after the Men in Green's performances in 2024 T20 World Cup
Mohammad Kaif has noted that Pakistan fans and former players are not supporting their side in the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, he acknowledged that the supporters are disappointed following the Men in Green's poor performances.
Pakistan lost to the United States of America and India in their first two Group A games in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Although they beat Canada in their third match, they need Ireland to beat the USA in Florida on Friday, June 14, and then defeat Paul Stirling and company at the same venue two days later to keep their Super Eights hopes alive.
During a discussion on Star Sports, Kaif was asked about the Pakistan fans praying for their team, considering the rain in Florida.
"The fans' prayers are not with them. There is a commotion there. Who is supporting them? Everyone is standing against them, whether you talk about their former players, I am watching everything, no one is supporting them, although they have played extremely badly," he responded.
The former India batter noted that Pakistan have only themselves to blame for their current situation.
"In the first match, Mohammad Amir was bowling wides in the Super Over. It was extremely poor bowling. You lost that match because of bowling. In the next match, they couldn't chase 119. They batted badly and dropped catches. I understand they have defeated Canada but they didn't do anything there for which you should praise them," Kaif observed.
Kaif pointed out that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan's failures to convert their starts cost Pakistan the game against India.
"Babar Azam was set (against India) and could have won the match. Mohammad Rizwan was also set. They lost the match because of batting where both betters were set. They disintegrate under pressure. They drop catches and are unable to bat under pressure," he elaborated.
Kaif noted that India have a 7-1 record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups because their neighbors make a lot of mistakes. He added that the Men in Green drop catches and are unable to chase runs as their renowned batters become meek.
"Luck works in their favor at times where Pakistan qualifies when they are virtually out" - Mohammad Kaif
However, Mohammad Kaif acknowledged that luck has favored Pakistan on a few occasions previously and helped them progress when they seemed down and out.
"I will say one more thing. Luck works in their favor at times where Pakistan qualifies when they are virtually out. We have seen that many times. They haven't played well but luck favors them. If the Ireland vs USA match happens and Ireland win and Pakistan win the next match, both will be at four points and it will go down to net run rate," he said during the same discussion.
Rain could prove to be the spoiler in Pakistan's Super 8 ambitions. Babar Azam and company will be knocked out if either of Ireland's games against the United States and Pakistan doesn't yield a result.