Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf, fresh off a match-defining performance against Sri Lanka in the first ODI, did not hold back in expressing his frustration at the relentless scrutiny and pressure faced by cricketers in his country. Speaking at the post-match press conference after leading Pakistan to a narrow six-run victory, Haris candidly addressed both his critics and the broader expectations placed on modern sports professionals, especially following his tough outing in the Asia Cup final against India.
Haris Rauf lashes out toxic fan base after Pakistan’s triumph over Sri Lanka in 1st ODI
After being questioned about his expensive spell in the Asia Cup final, Haris Rauf pointed to the “unforgiving” standards in international cricket. He remarked, “Humaray liye koi maafi nahi hoti (there is no forgiveness for us), we are expected to perform like robots but we are human beings and we can have bad days.” His words underscored the immense pressure on Pakistani players, where a single bad performance often overshadows consistent efforts.
Haris, who gave away 50 runs in just 3.4 overs in the Asia Cup final, admitted that plans sometimes fail despite best efforts. He emphasized the mental resilience required to perform at the top level, stating, “The main thing is you don’t give up. You don’t die from a bad day. We just keep belief in our skills and keep on working on rectifying mistakes but as a professional cricketer, any bowler can have a bad day.” His message was clear: while criticism is part of the sport, players are hurt when a solitary poor outing is remembered more than their consistent good showings.
Haris also addressed the fans directly, requesting understanding and faith in players’ intent. “No player likes to be criticised, yes everyone has his opinion but like I said for us, there is no forgiveness. You might have 10 good matches and one bad game and everyone will remember the bad game,” he stated. His comments reflected a sense of vulnerability and the impact public opinion can have on players’ morale.
Haris’ match-winning redemption and eye on red ball cricket
Haris silenced his critics for the moment against Sri Lanka, claiming four wickets—including a crucial three-wicket burst—that sealed a hard-fought win for Pakistan. This performance was particularly significant following his two-match suspension during the South Africa series, stemming from offensive gestures during Asia Cup matches. Returning from disciplinary action, his bowling heroics showed both resilience and focus under pressure.
Looking ahead, Haris expressed eagerness to represent Pakistan in Test cricket, provided he receives timely communication from selectors. “I want to play Tests also for Pakistan. I am ready whenever the selectors or the Board want me for Tests but my only point is to inform us in advance so that we can go and prepare for red-ball cricket where you have to bowl a lot of overs in a day,” Haris concluded. His readiness to take on the next challenge is an encouraging sign, especially as Pakistan looks to strengthen its fast-bowling resources across all formats.
