Cricket world celebrates Mohammad Kaif's birthday

New Delhi: Cricket world celebrate Mohammad Kaif's 36 birthday on Thursday. Regarded as one of the best ever Indian fielders, Kaif was part of the national ODI team from 2002 to 2006.

After leading the India U-19 team, which had the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Ajay Ratra and Reetinder Sodhi, to the 2000 Youth World Cup title in January, Kaif found himself making Test debut in March in Bangalore against the visiting South Africans.

But his Test career failed to take off and was considered a ODI specialist. He played 13 Test matches, scoring 624 runs with one hundred and three fifties. The lone century, an unbeaten 148, came against West Indies at Gros Islet in 2006.

Kaif made his ODI debut two years later in 2002 in a match against England at Kanpur. In 125 ODIs, he scored 2753 runs with two centuries and 17 fifties. The most memorable moment in his career will be the 2002 NatWest Series final against England.

Chasing England's 325, India were reduced to 146/5 after 24 overs, then Kaif and Yuvraj Singh put up a 121-run stand to help India chase down an improbable looking target, which prompted skipper Sourav Ganguly to take his shirt at Lord's balcony.

Here are some of the birthday wishes Kaif has received:

@MohammadKaif Happy birthday
A man who started d trend of Energetic fielding along with Yuvi in Indian Cricket
God bless u — Sachin Tendulkar (@Sachin_lover) December 1, 2016

14 yrs ago these two took over Lord's. Today one got married, the other happy birthday @YUVSTRONG12 @MohammadKaif pic.twitter.com/dSFzp1BxIu

— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani) December 1, 2016

Happy birthday (bhai sahab) @MohammadKaif! Hope you have a great one! — Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 1, 2016

The fabulous run chase in the Nat West series final is still fresh in our minds! Happy birthday @MohammadKaif! — sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 1, 2016

Many happy returns of the day, one of the finest fielders in Indian cricket @MohammadKaif keep smiling. pic.twitter.com/aM3ryHusqJ — Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) December 1, 2016

#OnThisDay in 1980, one of India’s best fielders was born@MohammadKaif - The forgotten Crisis Man of Indian Crickethttps://t.co/llk2Oe2I6S pic.twitter.com/lCqNoYgyA7

— Follow Your Sport (@followyoursport) December 1, 2016

He last played for India in an ODI against South Africa at Port Elizabeth in November 2006.

Still active in domestic arena, Kaif is turning up for adopted Chhattisgarh in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.