Dunedin was not as unwelcoming to Pakistan as Christchurch, but they ended up getting humbled at both venues. It’s not unusual for teams to go down 2-0 early, especially in a longer series, but Pakistan has a reason to worry. And that, as per Haris Rauf, is the criticism that has become a norm in the country.
Speaking to the media following Pakistan’s defeat in Dunedin, Rauf urged that Pakistan’s new-look team be given a few matches before scorn is poured on them.
“You talk about criticism, I think it has become common in Pakistan,” Pakistan pacer said. “These are young players. You go to any place, any team in the world, they give the youngsters full freedom. If they give the youngsters a chance, they make sure to give them 10 to 15 matches at a stretch. That is how they become players.”
“Everyone who comes into international cricket struggles initially. You talk about criticism, it’s become a norm. Everyone just sits and waits for the Pakistan team to lose so that they can talk about it. They have their opinions, but we are trying to build our team. We are trying to draft the youngsters in, the seniors are also there. As seniors, we motivate our juniors, and advise them about what’s required to succeed in international cricket. The quicker they learn, the better it will be for them.”
Following their group-stage elimination from a third consecutive ICC event, Pakistan decided to take a gamble by dropping players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in favor of youngsters to rebuild before the T20 World Cup next year. The first two games of the series have not helped validate that risk, but a team full of wet-behind-the-ears cricketers was never realistically expected to fire on all cylinders, especially on their first away tour.
However, the bowling lineup was banked on to step up, particularly on New Zealand’s bouncy tracks with plenty of lateral movement. Defending a target of 136 runs in 15 overs, Pakistan’s bowlers could only get halfway through the hosts. Rauf praised the Kiwis’ dominance but regretted not doing more damage.
“All players have put in the effort,” Haris Rauf said. The kind of grounds we have here, we generally get high-scoring games. It’s not like we didn’t bowl well, we were unlucky as well. There were a few top edges that went for six, some went over the ropes due to the wind and small ground. We were putting in the effort as a bowling unit, but we didn’t get the desired result. We were a bit unlucky in the beginning.
“We tried using the conditions to our advantage, but we were unlucky. The kind of cricket they played, they hit good shots, so we should credit them.”
There has been no respite for Pakistan in recent weeks. Their Champions Trophy defense campaign was rendered ineffective almost as soon as the tournament began. Haris acknowledges that but not without following it up with the belief that his team can rise above this decline in a fashion that is only characteristic of a side like Pakistan.
“There is no doubt that our cricket has declined. But we are building as a team and trying to forge a combination and play cricket that’s required at the top level. We are trying different things, and when we try things, there will be failures, but we will learn. And there will come a day in future when you will get to see good cricket from the Pakistan team.”
