Image Credit- CA
Another voice has been raised in response to Haris
Rauf’s self-imposed absence from the current Australia-Pakistan series. Former
Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has stated that the pace bowler “should
have been a part of this side”.
Rauf withdrew from the series prior to the squad’s
announcement, citing a desire to control his workload and take care of his
health. While the series was ongoing, he participated in four Big Bash League
games for the Melbourne Stars in Australia. With the medium-fast bowlers
Khurram Shahzad and Aamer Jamal playing the first Test and Mir Hamza and Hasan
Ali the second, Pakistan’s side came into the series with very little high
pace. The youthful captain of the pace battery, Shaheen Shah Afridi, typically
ran in the low 130 kmph range due to a knee issue that has never fully healed.
“I think Haris [Rauf] should be part of this side
instead rather than [the BBL],” Afridi, speaking to media at the MCG,
said.” In these conditions, the kind of pace he has, he would have
performed well and enjoyed himself on the kinds of pitches Australia prepared
in Perth and here.”
Despite the slowdown in pace, Shahid Afridi, who is in
Australia for work on his foundation, stated he didn’t think Shaheen was hurt
and that Pakistan should focus on depth rather than individuals.
can’t play as a fast bowler. He knows his
responsibility and how important he is to the team. The fast bowlers, we are
expecting a lot from them because they’ve done well in the past. Babar, Rizwan,
Shaheen etc. have performed so well we expect them to perform in every match.
Relentless consistency is challenging in cricket.
“I have always said that unless our bench is
strong we won’t be able to take the best decisions. The A team should be as
strong as the main team, so if Shaheen or Babar or Rizwan aren’t strong, we
shouldn’t have the excuses of players being unavailable, like we do with Naseem
now. When our bench is strong, we will no longer have excuses.”