Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf on Tuesday lashed out at those criticising the national team and, particularly, the younger players for their recent performances. The pacer stated that people back home were just waiting for an opportunity to criticise the performance of the team.
Speaking at the post-match press conference after Pakistan’s second consecutive loss to hosts New Zealand in the 5-match T20 series, Rauf said,
“Criticising has become common now in Pakistan, random comments are made by anyone.. young players need to be given freedom and deserve at least 10-15 games to develop well.”
“Some people just sit and wait for Pakistan team to lose so that they can be talked about in some way and I think they have their own opinion, they can give it”. He added, “The way we are a trying to build our team, as a senior, we all motivate our juniors, tell them what kind of cricket is this, what are your requirements in international cricket, they will have to play cricket in that way”.
The comments from Rauf was directed towards the former players, media houses, influencers who have been very critical about team’s shambolic performance for the past couple of months. The early exit from the recently concluded Champions Trophy group stage without winning a single match added more fuel to the fire.
Former Pakistan cricket Shoaib Akhtar left no stone unturned in calling out Rizwan for team’s dismal performance in such high profile tournament. Appearing alongside Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez on a Pakistan TV show Akhtar not only expressed his disappointment but also roasted Mohammad Hafeez for commenting on Pakistan cricket having talented players.
Hafeez said,” There is lot of talent but lack of planning’. Akhtar cut his ex-teammate in between and asked ‘Kaunsa Talent? Kis CHeez Ka? (“Which talent? What talent are we even talking about?)
He continued “Talent bada hai yeh mai 20 saal se sun raha hu. Koi nahi hai. Hota to dikh na jaata humein 10 saal se (I have been hearing for the last 20 years that there is a lot of talent; there is none. Had it been there, we would have seen it in the last 10 years).
Pakistan’s performance under Mohammad Rizwan’s captaincy
Under Rizwan’s leadership, Pakistan has endured a rough phase in international cricket. The team lost the home tri-nation ODI series final against New Zealand and faced an early exit from the Champions Trophy after defeats to both New Zealand and arch-rivals India.
