Watch: Haris Rauf EXPLODES at presser after loss to NZ, defends young Pakistan players

Pakistan National Cricket Team pacer Haris Rauf lashed out at the critics after his team lost two back-to-back T20Is against the New Zealand National Cricket Team in the ongoing series. He said that it has become the norm in Pakistan as people wait for the team to lose so that they can make comments.

The new era in the Pakistan Cricket didn’t go the way they would’ve wanted. The young guns of the team have failed to set the stage on fire in the ongoing T20I series against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. The Men in Green lost the first two games of the series by massive margins.

Pakistan lost the first two T20Is of the series against New Zealand

The young players, in particular batters, have struggled a lot. In the first game, Pakistan got all out for 91 runs and then went on to lose the game by the margin of 9 wickets. It was expected that they would come up with a fighting effort in the second match but that wasn’t the case.

In a game that was curtailed to 15 overs, Pakistan posted a total of 135 runs. The young players yet again struggled to score big. It was skipper Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Afridi who made vital contributions and helped the team post a fighting total on the board.

However, after that, they struggled with the ball as the youngsters, along with the senior pacers, were taken for runs. Haris Rauf was the only player who looked settled with the ball as he picked up two wickets and gave away 20 runs in the 3 overs that he bowled.

Some people just sit and wait for Pakistan team to lose so that they can be talked about in some way – Haris Rauf

Haris Rauf attended the press conference after the match but didn’t go easy on critics related to young players. He said that the youngsters need some time and freedom to develop. Speaking to reporters after the second T20I, he said:

“Criticising has become common now in Pakistan, random comments are made by anyone.. young players need to be given freedom and deserve at least 10-15 games to develop well.

“Some people just sit and wait for Pakistan team to lose so that they can be talked about in some way and I think they have their own opinion, they can give it.

We all motivate our juniors, tell them what kind of cricket is this – Haris Rauf

Haris Rauf added that they are trying to build a new team, highlighting that they and the seniors are trying to motivate their juniors and make them understand what international cricket is. He explained:

“The way we are a trying to build our team, as a senior, we all motivate our juniors, tell them what kind of cricket is this, what are your requirements in international cricket, they will have to play cricket in that way”.

Fast bowler Haris Rauf lashed out at the criticism directed towards young players.#HarisRauf#PakistanCricket VC PCB pic.twitter.com/kq6bujRj7z

— Sohail Imran (@sohailimrangeo) March 18, 2025

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