Former Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has sharply criticized pacer Haris Rauf’s performance in the recent Asia Cup final against India. Akram specifically highlighted Rauf’s expensive bowling spell, where he conceded a hefty 50 runs in just 3.8 overs during India’s successful chase to secure their ninth title in Dubai on Sunday.
Rauf’s struggles were evident throughout the match as he was heavily targeted by the Indian batsmen, ultimately delivering the winning runs to Rinku Singh in the final moments.
Speaking on Sony Sports after the match, Akram offered a pointed assessment of Rauf’s persistent difficulties when playing against India. “He’s unfortunately a run machine as a bowler, especially against India. I’m not criticizing him, the whole country’s criticizing him. The problem is, he doesn’t play red-ball cricket, and he’s simply not going to improve without it. If he’s unwilling to play, you can’t have a player in your team who refuses red-ball cricket. He needs to play at least four or five first-class games,” Akram asserted.
Akram strongly emphasized that Rauf’s noticeable lack of experience in red-ball cricket has significantly impacted his ability to perform effectively under high-pressure situations.
“The control just isn’t there because he avoids red-ball cricket. The PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) really needs to sit down and seriously consider this: if a player isn’t committed to playing red-ball cricket, then perhaps they shouldn’t be part of the national team,” Akram remarked, clearly frustrated.
The former Pakistani fast bowler also discussed Rauf’s technical bowling issues with fellow cricket legend Waqar Younis. “I was talking to Waqar, and I asked him how it is that Haris hasn’t managed to fix his run-up in the last four or five years since he started playing? Waqar’s response was simple: he doesn’t play red-ball cricket,” Akram recounted.
India ultimately secured a convincing victory in the final, with Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 guiding the team to a five-wicket win over Pakistan, clinching their ninth Asia Cup title.