Pakistani bowler Haris Rauf has voiced his support for the young players in the national team, emphasizing that they should be given ample opportunities to prove their mettle. Rauf believes that judging young cricketers after just a couple of matches is unfair and that they need a longer run to truly develop and showcase their abilities.
Rauf’s comments come in the wake of Pakistan’s decision to bring in fresh faces like Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz into the T20I squad against New Zealand, while resting senior players like Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. Despite these young players not finding immediate success in the first two matches, Rauf urges patience and understanding.
“Criticism is very common in Pakistan,” Rauf acknowledged after Pakistan’s second loss to New Zealand. “However, it’s important to remember these are young players. Globally, teams provide youngsters with consistent opportunities. To become established players, they need to play about 10 to 15 games consecutively. This is the approach that helps them grow.”
He also addressed concerns about the recent performance of Pakistan cricket, admitting to a decline but expressing confidence in the team’s ability to recover. Rauf highlighted that the team is currently in a building phase, integrating young talent with experienced players. He stressed the importance of senior players mentoring and guiding the juniors to adapt to the demands of international cricket. He believes that with time and consistent effort, Pakistan cricket will improve.
Rauf noted that while Pakistan’s batting struggled in the initial T20Is against New Zealand, the bowling unit also faced unfavorable conditions and some bad luck. Despite his own decent performance in the second T20I, he recognized the need for overall improvement and a collective effort from the team.
In conclusion, Haris Rauf’s message is clear: patience and consistent backing are crucial for nurturing young cricketers and ensuring a brighter future for Pakistan cricket. He believes in giving youngsters time to adapt, learn, and ultimately contribute to the team’s success.
