‘I Don’t Listen to Anyone’: Haris Rauf responds to critics after PSL setback

Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has strongly responded to mounting criticism over his performances in high-pressure situations, insisting he pays no attention to outside noise and remains focused on his own game.

Speaking during a recent media interaction following a dramatic Pakistan Super League (PSL) clash, Rauf made it clear that social media opinions hold little value for him.

“To be honest, I don’t look at social media at all because I know people talk without really knowing what they’re saying,” he said. “They focus more on views than on what they actually say.”

The pacer emphasized that criticism, if offered, should be responsible and respectful rather than sensational.

“If you are criticizing someone, it should be done with discipline and in a respectful way. That always looks better,” Rauf stated, adding that many voices lack proper understanding of the game’s complexities.

He doubled down on his stance, declaring, “I don’t listen to anyone, and I never will,” highlighting his belief that much of the commentary surrounding cricket today is driven by entertainment rather than insight.

Rauf also pointed out that fans often fail to grasp the nuances of match situations, particularly in pressure-filled moments.

“People only see that runs were scored, not how those runs came or what the conditions were,” he explained, stressing the importance of context such as field placements and match scenarios.

His remarks came in the aftermath of a tense PSL encounter between Lahore and Karachi, where the game turned dramatically in the final over. With Karachi needing 14 runs, on-field umpire Faisal Afridi intervened to inspect the ball after it had been exchanged between Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman.

Following consultation with fellow umpire Sharfuddoula, the officials decided to replace the ball and awarded a five-run penalty to Karachi, reducing the target to nine runs in the final over.

Rauf was unable to defend the revised total, as the chase was completed in just three deliveries with a boundary and a six sealing the result.

The latest episode adds to a string of challenging moments for Rauf in death overs. During the Big Bash League (BBL), he failed to defend 10 runs against Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.

In international cricket, he faced a similar situation during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 clash against India, where Virat Kohli struck two decisive sixes in the 19th over to shift the momentum.

Further setbacks followed in the Asia Cup 2025 Final and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 match against the United States, where Rauf again struggled to defend modest totals in the closing stages.

Despite the criticism, Rauf’s message remains firm: he is unfazed by external opinions and committed to backing his own abilities as he continues to navigate the pressures of top-level cricket.