Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf, Fresh from a match-defining performance against Sri Lanka In the first ODI, he did not hold back in expressing his disappointment at the constant scrutiny and pressure on cricketers in his country. Speaking at the post-match press conference after leading Pakistan to a narrow six-run win, Haris candidly addressed his critics and the widespread expectations raised by modern sports professionals, especially after his tough performance asia cup final against India,
Haris Rauf attacks toxic fan base after Pakistan’s win over Sri Lanka in 1st ODI
After being asked questions about his expensive spell in the Asia Cup final, Haris Rauf hit out at the “inexcusable” standards in international cricket. He commented, “There are no apologies for us, we are expected to perform like robots but we are human and we can have bad days too.” His words underlined the immense pressure placed on Pakistani players, where even one poor performance often overshadows consistent efforts.
Haris, who gave 50 runs in just 3.4 overs in the Asia Cup final, admitted that sometimes plans fail despite the best efforts. He stressed the mental flexibility required to perform at the top level, saying, “The main thing is that you don’t give up. You don’t give up on a bad day. We just have confidence in our skills and keep working on correcting the mistakes but as a professional cricketer, any bowler can have a bad day.” His message was clear: while criticism is part of the game, players are hurt when a single poor performance is remembered more than their consistent good performances.
Haris also addressed the fans directly, requesting them to understand and trust the players’ intentions. ,No player likes criticism, yes everyone has their own opinion but as I said, there is no apology for us. You can have 10 good games and one bad game and everyone will remember the bad game,” he said. His comments reflect the feeling of insecurity and the impact of public opinion on players’ morale.
Harris’s match-winning comeback and an eye on red-ball cricket
Harris briefly silenced his critics against Sri Lanka, taking four wickets – including three crucial wickets – which set up a hard-fought victory for Pakistan. This performance was particularly significant following his two-match suspension during the South Africa series due to aggressive gestures during the Asia Cup matches. Returning from disciplinary action, his bowling heroics showed both resilience and focus under pressure.
Looking to the future, Haris expressed his keenness to represent Pakistan in Test cricket, provided he receives timely communication from the selectors. ,I also want to play Test for Pakistan. Whenever the selectors or the board want me for a Test, I am ready, but my only aim is to inform us in advance so that we can go and prepare for red-ball cricket, where you have to bowl many overs in a day.“His readiness to take on the next challenge is an encouraging sign, especially as Pakistan looks to strengthen its fast bowling resources across all formats,” Harris concluded.