Top-5 innings by Mohammad Kaif

#3. 95 not out (103 balls) vs South Africa, TVS Cup at Bangladesh, Dhaka, 13 April 2003.

Mohammad Kaif with Yuvraj and Ganguly during the game against South Africa

In 2003, India and South Africa toured Bangladesh for a tri-series. The second match of the series was held between India and South Africa. The Proteas were coming fresh from a thorough drubbing of the hosts a couple of days previously, and was in full confidence. India on the other hand, had rested Tendulkar on an injury scare, and was playing Gautam Gambhir instead.

Though Gambhir fell early on, Sehwag and Ganguly proceeded without much harm. Sehwag eventually fell when the score read 84, and out came Kaif who was promoted ahead of Yuvraj. That proved to be great decision, as the left-right combination unleashed attack across all ends, to propel the score further up. By the time Ganguly (75 off 80) was out, India had reached 175.

Yuvraj was run-out after a short tenure, and Mongia came out to partner Kaif. The two carried the innings until the last possible ball, putting up 110 runs for the fourth wicket. Both Kaif and Mongia scored half centuries, Kaif scoring 95 runs as he fell agonisingly short of a deserving 100. He had seven fours and three sixes in his kitty.

South Africa folded for just 154 while replying, handing India a 153-run win. Top-scorer Mark Boucher was brought into the hands of Kaif as he proved his fielding mettle as well.

Mohammad Kaif became Man-of-the-match for a third time, courtesy of his knock in the first innings.