Haris Rauf Unleashing his Raw Pace on the Cricketing World

Haris Rauf’s name is quickly going around in World Cricket. With Shaheen Shah Afridi injured, the last two months have seen Rauf’s stocks go up wildly. Even when Shaheen Shah Afridi was around, Haris Rauf was used as a trump card, coming in to bowl the tough overs and surprise batters with his pace, after they survived a tight spell from Shaheen Shah Afridi. Now, Rauf is in the centerstage though, despite performing a similar role as he did before.

His ability was on complete display in a thrilling fourth T20 in Karachi. The match was testament to Pakistan’s unpredictable style of play as they once again found a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Before him though, Mohammad Hasnain was around, unleashing raw pace of his own. He was breathing fire up until the business end of the game. He kept Pakistan in the hunt despite having a relatively low score to defend. Come his final over and the eighteenth of the match, Hasnain’s figures had a turnaround.

The game headed into a one on one battle with him and Liam Dawson. Dawson came out on top, with a flurry of boundaries, getting 24 in the over to put Pakistan on the ropes, taking away Hasnain’s happiness. With nine to get off twelve balls the result was a mere formality. Haris Rauf, Pakistan’s best bowler at the moment, and their trump card took the ball to see things through. With very little hopes left, Haris Rauf did what only an express pacer could do. Like Lasith Malinga’s attempt in the 2007 World Cup against South Africa, Haris Rauf fought back with fire and changed the game on its head. Unlike Malinga though, he finished with success.

A boundary off the first ball started proceedings well for England but the next three balls changed the complexion of the game. A bouncer to dismiss Dawson, and then a fiery yorker to dismiss Olly Stone left England with one wicket left. The third ball didn’t produce a wicket, but was very fast, at 155 kilometres per hour. That delivery was enough to fire Pakistan up as they were favorites once again. With his speed, Haris Rauf manufactured a win for Pakistan, to prove he is now their best bowler.

Over the last year as well, Haris Rauf has been on a constant rise. Bowling under the shadow of Shaheen Shah Afridi has made it tough for him to be in the spotlight, but his numbers are incredible in the same period. Starting off with raw pace, Haris Rauf initially bowled his overs through the innings rather than at a certain point. He doesn’t start with the new ball. Instead, Haris Rauf is called to bowl after the new-ball bowlers are done, which makes the Pakistan attack look unrelenting as they bring on a bowler who touches 150kph with ease later later in the powerplay.

At his disposal, he has a set of canny variations. He is skiddy, which has already grabbed the attention of Mark Wood, another express pacer, and has a nice slower ball. Haris Rauf is also really good with his yorker, bouncer and bowling the hard length. He first burst into the scene when he went to the Lahore Qalandars pace development program. In a tryout, he displayed exactly what Pakistan love, Raw pace. Pakistan is historically known to produce some incredible pacers and he is the latest in the closet.

With pace at his disposal, Haris Rauf is mastering the art of old-fashioned cricket which relies only on the batter, bowler and the stumps. His spell against England was as exhilirating as ever. His last few months as well, has been a wonder to watch. With Haris Rauf finally coming out of the shadows, Pakistan’s bowling looks as daunting as ever. Shaheen Shah is likely to return for the World Cup, joining Rauf, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain, in what will be a fearsome attack. With bouncy surfaces in Australia, the attack will be even more charged up. The World Cup though is still a while away, with Pakistan playing three more T20Is in the current series. Haris Rauf is charged up and is basking away in the glory of his skills.