NEW DELHI: Following a dismal performance in the Asia Cup final against India, Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf has come under intense scrutiny from cricket veterans. He conceded a hefty 50 runs in his four overs, prompting widespread criticism. Experts are particularly baffled by his struggles in the crucial death overs and captain Salman Ali Agha’s tactical decision to introduce him at a critical juncture when India needed 147 runs for victory.
(Image: Haris Rauf during a match, where his performance against India in the Asia Cup final drew heavy criticism.)
Former Pakistani batsman Mohammad Yousuf didn't mince words, expressing deep concerns over Rauf's inability to perform under pressure in the final overs. "We need to acknowledge how many matches Haris Rauf has essentially thrown away at the end," Yousuf stated on Samaa TV, using the Hindi phrase "marwaa diya" (meaning "got us killed"). "He simply shouldn't be bowling in the death overs. If you recall previous World Cups, he’s been thrashed everywhere. Had he bowled more effectively, the entire match scenario could have been different."
Adding to the chorus of disapproval, former wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal pointed out Rauf's consistent underperformance in high-stakes encounters. "Haris Rauf fails to deliver in big games," Akmal told ARY News, recalling the memorable Melbourne match where Virat Kohli famously hit Rauf for two sixes. "The captain must grasp which bowler is suitable for such critical moments. It seems we are not learning from our repeated mistakes."
Tauseef Ahmed, a former Pakistan off-spinner, expressed his frustration over Rauf's recurring failures in pivotal situations. "We often say anything can happen in cricket," Ahmed remarked. "But why do these 'anything' moments consistently involve Haris Rauf? We have other talented bowlers available. It's time to disregard the narratives of franchise cricket and its influence. Only Haris Rauf seems capable of these repeated collapses; not Hasan Ali or any other young player. We, too, were hit for runs in our playing days, but not with such regularity in crucial instances."
The game took a decisive turn when Rauf was introduced for the 15th over. Up until then, Pakistan's spinners had successfully restricted India, conceding merely 13 runs in three overs. However, Rauf's over proved disastrous, leaking 17 runs and irrevocably handing the momentum to India. Former fast bowler Mohammad Amir sharply criticized this tactical blunder. "It was a monumental error to hand Rauf that over," Amir explained on his YouTube channel. "The spinners had built up crucial momentum for us. But replacing spinner Saim with the pace bowler Rauf entirely shifted the advantage. While he is undoubtedly a wicket-taking bowler, the match situation clearly called for spinners. We would not have lost this match. Shaheen and Faheem had bowled exceptionally well during the powerplay, setting a strong foundation."
Echoing the sentiments of tactical misjudgment, former captain Rashid Latif proposed alternative bowling strategies. "Haris Rauf should never have bowled that particular over," Latif stated on Geo News. "Abrar Ahmed should have been given the ball, and upon his return, he would have needed to change ends – a vital aspect for a spinner. Saim was also an option, and we inexplicably sidelined Mohammad Nawaz."