Haris Rauf Wants Fans to Give Youngsters Time Before Criticizing Them

Pakistan’s fiery pacer Haris Rauf has emphasized the importance of giving Pakistan’s emerging players ample opportunities to develop their skills. Following Pakistan’s disappointing performances in the first two T20Is against New Zealand, Rauf expressed his belief that young players should not be judged too harshly based on just one or two matches.

After Pakistan’s recent five-wicket loss in Dunedin, Rauf addressed the media, stating, “You talk about criticism; I think it has become common in Pakistan. These are young players. If you go to any team in the world, they give youngsters full freedom. They ensure that these players get 10 to 15 matches at a stretch. That is how they become players.” His comments come at a time when the national team is undergoing significant changes, having left out established stars Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam for the ongoing five-match T20I series.

In their place, the team has introduced new faces like Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz at the top of the order, alongside Irfan Khan at No. 4. However, the new lineup has struggled to find its footing, resulting in back-to-back losses against New Zealand. Rauf acknowledged the challenges faced by the young players, noting that everyone entering international cricket experiences a learning curve.

While Haris Rauf acknowledged the decline in Pakistan cricket, he remains optimistic about the future. “There is no doubt that our cricket has declined. But we are building as a team and trying to forge a combination that can compete at the top level,” he stated. “We are trying different things, and with that comes failure, but we will learn. There will come a day when you will see good cricket from the Pakistan team.”