Iftikhar Ahmed Blames Haris Rauf for Pakistan’s T20 WC Loss

By Aftab Ahmed • February 23, 2026

Pakistan middle-order batsman Iftikhar Ahmed has attributed the team’s narrow defeat to India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 to fast bowler Haris Rauf’s bowling decisions.

The match, held at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23, 2022, ended in a dramatic loss for Pakistan.

In a recent podcast interview with Test cricketer Fawad Alam, Iftikhar expressed his frustration over key moments that he believes cost Pakistan the victory and a potential “Man of the Match” award for himself.

He revealed that during the crucial final overs, he repeatedly advised Haris Rauf to bowl yorkers, but Rauf chose to follow his own strategy.

“After every ball, I used to go from the boundary to Haris Rauf and kept telling him, ‘Bowl a yorker,’ but he has his own mind,” Iftikhar said. He added, “Surely, I would have been the man of the match if we had won. Man of the match against India, it would have been special. But Kohli hit those incredible sixes and took the match away from us.”

Pakistan had posted a total of 159-8 batting first, with Shan Masood top-scoring with 52 runs off 42 balls, including five boundaries.

Iftikhar Ahmed contributed a quick 51 runs from 34 balls, striking two fours and four sixes.

During India’s chase, early breakthroughs by Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya kept the target within reach. Pakistan appeared to be in control heading into the 18th over, with India needing 31 runs off the last 12 balls.

However, Haris Rauf’s penultimate over proved costly. After conceding just three runs in the first four balls, Virat Kohli smashed two towering sixes, leaving India needing 16 runs off the final six balls.

India ultimately chased down the target on the last delivery. Kohli played a match-winning innings of 82 runs off 53 balls, including six boundaries and four sixes. Hardik Pandya added an important 40 runs to secure the thrilling victory for India.