"Luck favors them," former Indian cricketer speaks on Pakistan's performance in T20 World Cup

Pakistan will face Ireland in their last group match, and they need to win by a good margin to claim four points with a strong net run rate

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has candidly expressed his views on Pakistan's T20 World Cup prospects, suggesting that luck has frequently played a role in their qualifications for the major rounds of the event.

The Men in Green lost their first two matches of the mega-event tournament against the USA and India, but they secured a victory over Canada in their third group-stage match. Pakistan will face Ireland in their last group match, and they need to win by a good margin to claim four points with a strong net run rate.

Pakistan's qualification will also depend on the result of today's match between the USA and Ireland. A win for Ireland would boost Pakistan's chances of advancing.

"I will say one more thing. Luck works in their favour at times where Pakistan qualifies when they are virtually out. We have seen that many times. They haven't played well but luck favours them. If Ireland vs USA match happens and Ireland win and Pakistan win the next match, both will be at four points and it will go down to net run rate," Kaif said.

Reflecting on Pakistan's performance, Kaif criticized the team’s execution in crucial moments.

"In the first match, Mohammad Amir was bowling wides in the Super Over. It was extremely poor bowling. You lost that match because of bowling. In the next match, they couldn't chase 119. They batted badly and dropped catches. I understand they have defeated Canada but they didn't do anything there for which you should praise them," he said.

The former batter further analyzed the crucial moments that contributed to Pakistan's struggles against India, where the Men in Green lost a match they nearly had in hand during the ongoing mega-event.

"Babar Azam was set [against India] and could have won the match. Mohammad Rizwan was also set. They lost the match because of batting where both batters were set. They disintegrate under pressure. They drop catches and are unable to bat under pressure," he concluded.