![Mohammad Kaif won hearts with his stunning fielding and batting](https://media.newstracklive.com/uploads/sports-news/cricket-news/Dec/01/big_thumb/Mohammad-Kaif_5fc5b7f9bed00.jpg)
Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif is celebrating his 40th birthday today. Mohammad Kaif, who made a place in the team under the captaincy of Saurabh Ganguly, is known for his fielding. With this, he has been a great middle order batsman. Kaif played the last match for the Indian team about 12 years ago. He played 13 Tests, 125 ODIs for India.
In the 2003 World Cup, Kaif played a great role for India with his fielding and his batting. The Indian team was runner-up in this World Cup. But Kaif's most brilliant innings was seen in the final of the NatWest Series against England at Lord's ground in 2002. On 13 July 2002, India were playing the final match of the NatWest Trophy and were challenged by hosts England for 326 runs. Team India Sehwag Ganguly's pair gave a good start and made a century partnership for the opening wicket.
But as soon as Captain Ganguly (60) was out, the team's score was 106 runs. After this, half of India's team returned to the pavilion within the next 40 runs (146/5). After Saurabh Ganguly, Sehwag (45), Dinesh Mongia (9), Rahul Dravid (5) and Sachin Tendulkar (14) returned to the pavilion. Now Team India had only 2 batsmen left and after that only Boller was left in the Indian camp. From here, Team India needed 180 runs in 26 overs. Both Yuvi and Kaif were young players back then and no one expected India to win the match. But Kaif joined hands with Yuvraj from here and a 123-run partnership for the sixth wicket has been formed. Yuvraj Singh (69) was dismissed on a score of 267. India still needed 59 runs from 52 balls from here. Kaif continued to play great games and together with Harbhajan Singh brought India closer to the target. Even when Bhajji was dismissed, India were 12 runs away from victory and 15 balls were left. Meanwhile, Anil Kumble returned to the pavilion without opening an account.
But Kaif did not give up and he teamed up with Zaheer Khan (4 *) to help India win with 3 balls to spare. Kaif, who scored 87 * runs in 75 balls, hit 6 fours and 2 sixes. He was named the man of the match for this match winning knock. Talking about Kaif's entire international career, he scored 2753 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 32. At the same time, he has averaged 32 in 125 ODIs.
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