The scars from the 2022 T20 World Cup between Pakistan and India have not faded. And certainly not for Iftikhar Ahmed.
In the podcast, Iftikhar Ahmed spoke openly about his disappointment. He looked back at the final overs at the MCG and blamed Haris Rauf’s over for the defeat.
“I kept telling him, ‘Give it to the Yorkie,’” Iftikhar said. – But he has his own opinion.
The ending that changed everything
Pakistan scored 159 for 8. Shan Masood scored 52 to keep the innings alive. Iftikhar scored 51 off 34 balls, including four sixes. When Pakistan reached 159, many felt that the number would be enough.
India stumbled early and the chase faltered. Then came the 18th.
With 31 required from 12 balls, Rauf started brilliantly. Three runs, four deliveries. He controlled the situation and enforced discipline. You could feel the tightening of policies in India. And then everything turned upside down.
Virat Kohli hit two outstanding sixes. Sighs echoed throughout the stadium. That one moment changed everything. Suddenly 16 points were needed in the final. Pakistan never recovered from this.
“Man of the match would be mine”
During an interview on Iftikhar Ahmed’s podcast, he admitted that he felt the award slipped away from his hands along with the game.
“Man of the match against India, that would be something special,” he said. Even now, the disappointment was visible on his face.
Kohli finished unbeaten on 82 from 53 balls. Hardik Pandya chipped in with 40. India sealed it in the last delivery.
Few saw the end coming when Pakistan took control of the contest early in the chase. But cricket can be ruthless.
For Iftikhar, the 2022 T20 World Cup between Pakistan and India remains personal. And his words reignited a debate that many thought had been settled.