Pakistani bowler Haris Rauf mentioned that people in Pakistan often trash their own players and almost want them to fail – a jab at his fellow citizens after another poor showing.
The team, led by Salman Ali Agha, lost the second T20I against New Zealand by five wickets, putting them on the verge of losing the series.
Rauf, who managed to snag two wickets, said some folks back home seem to be waiting for Pakistan to lose so they can rip into the players.
“It’s pretty normal now for Pakistani fans to slam players. These are young guys getting a shot. Other teams give their young players a long rope, Rauf said at the post-match press conference.
“They get like 10-15 games. When you’re new to international cricket, you’re going to struggle, that’s just how it is. But here, it feels like people are just waiting for us to mess up,” Rauf added.
Before this T20I series, Pakistan got knocked out of the Champions Trophy in the group stage after losing to New Zealand and India.
Rauf said they’re doing their best and he’s trying to guide the younger players. Pakistan left out Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam for this T20I series.
“We’re putting in the effort and trying to build a strong team. The senior players are trying to encourage the youngsters and teach them how things work in international cricket, Rauf said.
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
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s opening batsmen went on a hitting spree, beating Pakistan by five wickets and taking a 2-0 lead in the T20I series.
The home team got to 137/5 with 11 balls left in Dunedin, taking control of the series after Pakistan scored 135/9 off 15 overs in a rain-shortened game.
New Zealand’s innings was powered by a fierce opening partnership between Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, with seven of their first eight scores being sixes.
Seifert played a maiden over against Shaheen Afridi, but then Allen hit three sixes in Mohammad Ali’s over.
