![India won vs PAK by 61 runs [Source: IS_Netwrk29, CricCrazyJohns/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1771222115154_MohammedKaifIndiaPakistan(1).jpg?type=hq)
India won vs PAK by 61 runs [Source: IS_Netwrk29, CricCrazyJohns/X.com]
Tempers ran high for Mohammad Kaif after India's Sunday night win over Pakistan at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Group A game. The former Indian batter lost his cool at a news anchor for belittling Pakistan and called them out for not crediting India's fantastic all-round display in Colombo.
Courtesy of a blistering 77 off 40 with 10 fours and three sixes from Ishan Kishan and some middle-order contributions, India scored 175/7 in 20 overs. India easily defended the score after Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah rocked up with brilliant new-ball bowling, reducing Pakistan to 13/3 in just 2 overs. Pakistan were dismantled for 114, and India won by 61 runs.
Kaif explodes on TV anchor after India's win vs PAK
Following the 61-run win, India sealed the Super 8 qualification. Former India player Mohammad Kaif and Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar were guests on a post-match show on ABP News to breakdown the match.
The incident happened after the host of the show was seen ripping into PCB and the lack of structure in Pakistan's system, and blamed the loss on it while speaking to Akhtar. Kaif objected to the way the show was being run and called her out, asking for credit to credit India instead of discrediting Pakistan.
"I am disappointed in the way you have presented this show. You are portraying Pakistan as a weak and dead team — had they won this match, Shoaib Akhtar would have called you out as arrogant. By portraying Pakistan as a weak team, you are taking away the credit from India. Please don't do that. You say negative things about Pakistan — what do we have to do with it?"
"Please talk about India, their captain and how Ishan Kishan, who faced Pakistan for the first time, played. You are not talking about the pressure he must have been under. Praise the Indian players, they are playing under circumstances where they had lost, you (media) would've ripped them apart. I wouldn't let my players go without being praised," Mohammad Kaif said.
Watch the video below:
Mohammad Kaif praises Suryakumar Yadav for win over PAK
During the same show, as he seemed angry with the anchor, Mohammad Kaif noted how much pressure Suryakumar Yadav is handling at the moment and made sure to give him his flowers.
"There is so much pressure on Suryakumar Yadav — he is not shaking hands, there is pressure to win. One time, Pakistan would win, and you would run it over for years in the news. The 30-minute show so far was off-track; I am bringing it back on track," Mohammad Kaif noted.
He further spoke about the importance of the structure built by the BCCI after the retirement of a few legends to facilitate such on-field performances. The former cricketer also made sure to talk about Ishan Kishan's family, given all they had been through over the last couple of years when he was out of the team.
India eyes unbeaten group stage finish
Having achieved their Super 8 qualification with three wins in a row, India's focus now shifts to Ahmedabad. They are set to face the Netherlands, who are fighting for an outside chance to qualify for the next round based on net run-rate, if they topple the defending champions.
India will look to end the group stage on high with 8 points and possibly give some chances to the backup players who have not been actively involved so far. The clash will take place on February 18 at 7 PM (IST).
