Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf has been a crucial part of Pakistan’s bowling attack, renowned for his express pace and ability to deliver toe-crushing yorkers. However, his recent performances in high-stakes ICC events have come under scrutiny due to several costly mistakes that have significantly impacted Pakistan’s chances of victory. Here, we take a closer look at some critical moments where Rauf’s performance has faltered, leading to Pakistan’s loss in crucial matches.
ICC T20 World Cup 2022: The Clash Against India
One of the most memorable yet painful moments for Pakistani fans came during the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 match against arch-rivals India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). India required 28 runs off 8 balls, a challenging but not impossible task. Haris Rauf was handed the ball to bowl the penultimate over, a moment that demanded composure and precision. However, Rauf conceded two crucial sixes to Virat Kohli, turning the tide in India’s favor and costing Pakistan a pivotal win in the tournament.
Asia Cup 2021: Another Slip Against India
The Asia Cup 2021 witnessed another instance where Haris Rauf’s performance in the death overs proved detrimental. India needed 19 runs off 10 balls, a situation where tight bowling was essential. Rauf, tasked with delivering under pressure, conceded 15 runs in his over, easing the pressure on India and contributing to another painful defeat for Pakistan in a high-stakes match.
ICC T20 World Cup 2024: A Shocker Against the USA
In what was considered a shocking turn of events, Pakistan faced an unexpected challenge against the USA in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. With the USA needing 12 runs off 3 balls, Rauf was expected to close out the match. However, he conceded 11 runs, allowing the USA to tie the game and subsequently defeat Pakistan in the super over. This performance was particularly disappointing given Pakistan’s dominance in the cricketing world compared to the USA.
ICC ODI World Cup 2023: A Series of Disappointments
The ICC ODI World Cup 2023 was a tournament where Haris Rauf’s struggles were magnified across multiple matches. Consistently conceding too many boundaries, Rauf’s inability to control the run flow during crucial junctures of the games put Pakistan on the back foot repeatedly. His performance against various teams in the tournament was below par, contributing to Pakistan’s overall disappointing run in the World Cup.
