Haris Rauf hits back at critics, defends Pakistan's bowling attack
Pakistan pacer brushes aside criticism over expensive spells, backs teammates and opens up about his pace and Test cricket ambitions.
LAHORE: Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has dismissed criticism of his bowling performances, insisting that conceding runs is part of modern-day cricket and that the team's success depends on the collective efforts of its bowling attack.
Speaking at a press conference following Pakistan's victories in their opening two matches of the tri-nation series, Rauf defended the pace unit and said the bowlers had delivered as a team despite questions over their performances, particularly in the death overs.
"I have never been afraid of criticism, and I will never be afraid of criticism," Rauf said, making it clear that outside opinions would not distract him from improving his game.
The pacer acknowledged that bowlers face increasing challenges in international cricket, where high-scoring contests have become common and even experienced fast bowlers can concede runs under pressure.
He maintained that Pakistan's bowling unit had performed well in the opening two matches and credited the team's collective effort for the victories.
"As a bowling unit, we have performed well and won both matches as a team," he said.
Rauf also emphasised the importance of taking wickets in the middle overs, arguing that allowing established batters to settle makes life increasingly difficult for bowlers towards the end of an innings.
"If you don't take wickets in the middle, as a team, you struggle," he said.
According to Rauf, regular breakthroughs in the middle overs help reduce the pressure on death bowlers, while strong batting performances give the bowling unit more freedom to execute its plans.
He explained that bowlers could sometimes compensate for a shortfall of 20 to 30 runs, but defending a significantly below-par total becomes much harder.
The right-arm pacer also backed fellow fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf, stressing that each member of the attack had a specific role to play at different stages of a match.
Discussing his own bowling, Rauf said maintaining pace remained an important part of his game. While some fast bowlers rely heavily on swing and seam movement, he believes genuine speed continues to be a valuable weapon in international cricket.
He said he was working on his fitness and skills to maintain that pace while becoming more effective in different match situations.
Rauf also spoke about his efforts to improve through domestic cricket, revealing that he had played two to three first-class matches last year and another four this year.
The longer format, he explained, had helped him work on his line and length and identify areas requiring improvement.
Although he has largely featured in limited-overs cricket for Pakistan, Rauf said he remained open to returning to Test cricket if needed, provided he was properly prepared for the physical and technical demands of the format.
The fast bowler also credited his working relationship with bowling coach Shaun Tait, saying their familiarity had created an environment where players could discuss their weaknesses and seek improvements without hesitation.
Turning to Pakistan's batting performances, Rauf acknowledged that the opening pair had struggled in the first two matches but praised the middle order for responding when the team needed runs.
He expressed hope that Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman would regain their form as the tournament progressed.
Rauf also said he was comfortable bowling with the new ball or in the death overs, stressing that professional cricketers must be prepared to adapt to the team's requirements.
Pakistan's next match in Lahore will also be dedicated to breast cancer awareness, with Rauf encouraging fans to support the initiative and help spread awareness.
Despite the criticism surrounding the pace attack, Rauf remained confident in the bowling unit and its ability to deliver as Pakistan looked to build on its winning start to the tournament.
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