Pakistan's fast bowler Haris Rauf has addressed the intense scrutiny and pressure that international cricketers face, particularly after disappointing performances. His comments come in the wake of criticism he received for his performance in the Asia Cup final against India.
Rauf acknowledged the high expectations placed on players, stating that they are often expected to perform flawlessly, "like robots". He emphasized that cricketers are human beings who are prone to mistakes and occasional failures. "For us, there is no forgiveness," Rauf said, highlighting the unforgiving nature of the sport. "We are expected to perform like robots, but we are human beings. We can have bad days".
Rauf's remarks followed Pakistan's narrow six-run victory against Sri Lanka in their first ODI, where he played a crucial role, claiming four wickets. This performance was a significant bounce-back for Rauf, who had faced harsh criticism after conceding 50 runs in just 3.4 overs in the Asia Cup final. India won the Asia Cup final by five wickets.
The pacer reflected on his struggles in high-pressure matches, particularly the Asia Cup final. He stressed the importance of not giving up after a bad day and continuing to believe in one's skills. "The main thing is you don't give up. You don't die from a bad day," he stated. "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".
Former Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram had criticized Rauf's performance in the Asia Cup final, labeling him a "run machine" and attributing his struggles to a lack of red-ball cricket experience. Akram suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should reconsider Rauf's place in the team if he continues to refuse to play red-ball cricket. Mohammad Yousuf, another former Pakistani batsman, also expressed his disappointment and shock at Rauf's performance in the Asia Cup final. Yousuf highlighted Rauf's tendency to concede a lot of runs in crucial moments of matches.
Rauf also addressed the disappointment of fans, urging them not to question the players' efforts. He acknowledged the pressure that comes with representing Pakistan on the international stage and the impact that criticism can have on players' morale.
Looking ahead, Rauf expressed his ambition to play Test cricket for Pakistan. He stated his readiness to represent his country in the longer format whenever the selectors or the board call upon him. However, he requested that he be informed in advance to allow for proper preparation for red-ball cricket, which requires bowling long spells.
Adding to the pressure surrounding Rauf, the ICC had suspended him for two matches following his conduct during the Asia Cup matches against India. Rauf was found guilty of breaching Article 2.21 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to "conduct that brings the game into disrepute," in two separate incidents. He received four demerit points, resulting in a two-match suspension. Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah were also sanctioned.
