Mohammad Kaif believes Pakistan was justifiably knocked out of the 2024 T20 World Cup before the Super Eights. The Men in Green were eliminated after the United States of America’s last Group A game against Ireland in Florida on Friday, June 14, was called off before a ball was bowled.
Pakistan needed Ireland to defeat the United States to keep their Super 8 aspirations alive. With India and the USA already qualifying for the Super Eights from the group following the no-result, Babar Azam and his team will face the Irish in a meaningless game in Florida on Sunday, June 16.
On Star Sports’ ‘Match Point’, Kaif was asked about Pakistan’s elimination from the upcoming T20 World Cup.
“It’s a massive shocker. Pakistan reached the final last time. They play well and have good players, but they committed mistakes and the batting didn’t fire. Whenever there was pressure, Pakistan weren’t ready this time. If you talk about Mohammad Amir’s Super Over where he was bowling wides – extremely poor bowling.”
“When Iftikhar Ahmed got to bat under pressure, the bat didn’t fire. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan weren’t in good form. They were playing at a run-a-ball. They committed many mistakes and they had to pay for it. Whenever there was pressure, Pakistan totally disintegrated. They probably didn’t deserve to reach the Super 8s this time.”
Mohammad Kaif
In the Super Over against the USA, Mohammad Amir allowed 18 runs, including seven extras, which Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, and Fakhar Zaman were unable to chase down. Pakistan then failed to chase down a 120-run mark against India, leaving them with a difficult challenge to qualify for the Super Eights.
“They were the deserving team” – Mohammad Kaif on USA’s qualification
On the other hand, Mohammad Kaif stated that the United States of America rightly qualified for the Super Eights.
“The Pakistan match was a huge one. The team was under pressure. Saurabh Netravalkar bowled splendidly in the Super Over there. The batting was also decent. They have a batter like Aaron Jones. They were the deserving team because they won two good games.”
Mohammad Kaif
The cricketer-turned-commentator also stated that the co-hosts overcame Pakistan when almost no one anticipated them to do so.
“They defeated Canada by chasing close to 190 and then delivered when everyone was saying this team wouldn’t be able to beat Pakistan. They lost to India after that and the next match was a washout but the two games they won at the start, USA went ahead because of that. It’s a win for cricket and their local fans.”
Mohammad Kaif
The United States is grouped alongside South Africa and the West Indies in Group 2 of the Super Eight stage. Either England or Scotland will join them as the group’s fourth team.
