Pakistan’s era under Mike Hesson has begun on the right foot with a series win over Bangladesh, but the only dampener on those celebrations seems to be Haris Rauf’s less-than-stellar stats in those two games.
Haris, a premier fast bowler for Pakistan, averages 59.00 and has an economy rate of 11.80 from those two games, with just one wicket to his name, which has become a cause for concern among fans. Asked about his personal struggles with the ball after the game, Haris Rauf took a broader look at things.
“Fast bowlers have always been under the knife,” Haris Rauf said. “It’s modern cricket, boundaries are small, pitches are flat, and 200 runs is the average. Even small teams scoring 200, we just try to restrict teams to around 180.”
Rauf’s comments come at a time when bowlers across the world are under pressure. In the shortest format, the bat dominates, and even a good over can sometimes go for 10 or more runs. For someone like Rauf, who is often called on to bowl at the death, the margin for error is incredibly slim.
Pakistan fans have seen Rauf deliver match-winning spells, but they’ve also seen him face criticism when the ball disappears to all parts. That’s the reality of modern T20 cricket—one over can change everything, for better or worse.
Despite the struggles, Haris Rauf remains committed to learning and adjusting. He’s part of Pakistan’s core group in white-ball formats and is expected to play a key role in the upcoming matches. With his pace, energy, and never-back-down attitude, the 31-year-old continues to be a vital weapon—even in a game that seems designed to test bowlers like never before.