‘If Pakistan had won…’: Mohammed Kaif fires back at Shoaib Akhtar in fiery on-air moment
NEW DELHI – The aftermath of a high-octane India-Pakistan cricket match often generates as much heat as the game itself. Following a decisive encounter in the Asia Cup, a fiery debate erupted on ABP News between former India batsman Mohammed Kaif and former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar. Kaif took strong exception to the prevailing narrative that focused heavily on Pakistan’s shortcomings, arguing it unfairly diminished the brilliance of the Indian team.
While Pakistan’s batting collapse and lack of intensity were major talking points, Kaif insisted that the discussion should center on India’s ability to perform under immense pressure.
Kaif Challenges the ‘Weak Pakistan’ Narrative
Speaking during the post-match analysis, Kaif expressed visible frustration with how the victory was being framed. He argued that attributing the result solely to Pakistan’s errors ignores the quality of cricket played by the Men in Blue.
“Ever since we started the show I’m not happy, because you have been saying the Pakistan team is anyway weak, is an unenergetic team. If that team had won today, then 100% Shoaib Akhtar would be saying right now that BCCI is prideful, that the players had too much ego,” Kaif argued on air.
Kaif emphasized that the psychological aspect of the rivalry means credit must be given where it is due. “I want to say that by showing Pakistan as weak, you are taking away India’s excellence. You have just been showing that Pakistan is in trouble, that there’s no system, but what does that matter for India?”
Key Statistics: India’s Dominance
| Key Metric | India’s Performance | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure Batting | Resilient middle-order partnerships | Recovery after early wicket loss |
| Bowling Discipline | Consistent line and length | Forced Pakistan batting collapse |
| Fielding Standards | High intensity | Created pressure in middle overs |
Spotlight on Ishan Kishan’s Composure
To illustrate his point, Kaif highlighted the performance of wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan. Playing in his first-ever match against Pakistan, Kishan delivered a mature innings that rescued India from a precarious position. Kaif noted that such a knock, played under the scrutiny of millions, deserves more attention than Pakistan’s administrative or systemic failures.
“We are talking about India, the Indian captain, Ishan Kishan who has played against Pakistan for the first time – how much pressure he must have on him, we aren’t talking about that,” Kaif pointed out. “Give India’s players the credit because they are playing in a circumstance where imagine if they lost, then it would have been an outcry.”
Kaif referenced the harsh criticism Indian players faced after previous defeats, such as the 2021 T20 World Cup loss, to underline the stakes involved.
- Player in Focus: Ishan Kishan
- Significance: First ODI appearance against Pakistan
- Impact: Stabilized the innings under extreme pressure
The Double Standard of Criticism
Kaif concluded by calling out the double standards often seen in cricket analysis. He reminded the panel that if the roles were reversed, the Indian team would be under severe scrutiny for their attitude and preparation.
“You would say Suryakumar Yadav isn’t shaking hands and now the team has lost, they think they are so brave. Ishan Kishan, Jasprit Bumrah, all would have been on trial if they lost this match today,” stated Kaif.
With India continuing their campaign in major tournaments, Kaif’s remarks serve as a poignant reminder: victories in high-voltage clashes like India vs Pakistan are built on skill, temperament, and mental fortitude, not just the opposition’s errors.
For more official stats and match reports, visit ESPN Cricinfo.