Pakistan’s star pacer, Haris Rauf, has openly acknowledged the challenging batting conditions currently dominating Dubai pitches during the ongoing Asia Cup. Following Pakistan’s recent 41-run victory over the UAE, Rauf highlighted the difficulties faced by batters and stressed the importance of strategic planning, particularly for the top order, as the team gears up for its highly anticipated rematch against India.
“Batting is struggling a bit, no doubt. The conditions are tough, and a lot of players are talking about how to tackle it. Our focus is on getting the top three batters to stay till the end in upcoming matches, because once you get a good total here, it’s not easy to chase,” Rauf told reporters. “Our focus is on getting the top three batters to stay till the end in upcoming matches, because once you get a good total here, it’s not easy to chase.”
Looking ahead to the high-stakes encounter with India, Rauf emphasized cricket’s inherent unpredictability. “You can’t predict which team will win. It’s a sport, one team wins, one team loses. Ultimately, it’s about who plays better cricket. We’ll try to play good cricket, and fans will get to see a good contest,” he stated.
When asked about potential changes to the playing XI for the India match, Rauf remained tight-lipped, indicating that such decisions rest with the coaches and captain. However, he underscored the value of clear communication among batters to adapt and improve. “As for the batsmen, I think they will sit down and talk to each other. Because the better the communication, the clearer and fairer it will be. That is how you get good things. What mistakes are they making? We have 2-3 days of practice before the match. We will try to prepare ourselves for the next match in the same condition,” he explained.
Despite limited match opportunities in the current Asia Cup, Rauf maintained a professional outlook. “As a professional, every match is an opportunity. I wait for my turn, and when the team needs wickets, I try to deliver. I’ve been here for a long time, watching conditions, practicing, and preparing. Today I got the chance, and I tried to execute for my team,” he remarked.
With an impressive tally of 126 wickets in 90 matches, Haris Rauf stands as Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in T20 Internationals. He explained his absence from the initial two Asia Cup games by noting the excellent performance of the team’s spinners. “For a player, it is not easy to sit out. But ultimately, you see what the team needs. My job is to back the team. We won the tri-nation series with spinners. The spinners are becoming more effective. I just wait for my opportunity,” he concluded.