Pakistan middle-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed has openly held fast bowler Haris Rauf responsible for Pakistan’s narrow defeat against India in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23, 2022. The match, one of the most anticipated encounters of the tournament, saw both teams competing fiercely, but India eventually secured a last-ball victory in a dramatic finish.
In a recent podcast interview alongside Test cricketer Fawad Alam, Iftikhar reflected on the heartbreaking loss and highlighted what he considered pivotal moments that swung the match in India’s favor. He stated that he repeatedly urged Haris Rauf to bowl yorkers during the crucial overs, but the fast bowler made his own decisions on the field. Iftikhar added that winning the match could have earned him the “Man of the Match” award, which he described as a special achievement given the high-profile nature of a clash against India.
Pakistan batted first and managed to post 159-8. Shan Masood anchored the innings with a steady 52 off 42 balls, hitting five boundaries, while Iftikhar Ahmed played a quickfire 51 off 34 deliveries, striking two fours and four sixes. Despite these contributions, early breakthroughs by Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya during India’s innings kept the visitors within reach of the target.
During the 18th over, with Pakistan appearing in control and India needing 31 runs from the final 12 balls, Haris Rauf bowled the penultimate over. After conceding just three runs off the first four deliveries, Virat Kohli struck two towering sixes, dramatically reducing the target to 16 off the final six balls. India eventually chased down the target on the last delivery, with Kohli scoring 82 off 53 balls and Pandya adding an important 40 runs.
Iftikhar Ahmed’s comments highlight the pressure and scrutiny faced by Pakistan players in high-stakes matches, especially against India. While Rauf’s over is being criticized, it also underscores how T20 cricket can turn on a single over or even a few balls, illustrating the fine margins between victory and defeat in international cricket. The match remains a topic of debate among fans and analysts alike, with many agreeing that Pakistan’s strong batting performance deserved a better outcome.
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