“I believe in my strength, ” says Haris Rauf
By our correspondent
KARACHI: Pakistan’s premier pacer and the fourth T20 game hero Haris Rauf has said that he believes in his strength and if prepares rightly he gets the success.
“I have confidence in my strength. And I get the success if I prepare rightly,” Haris told a post-match news conference after guiding Pakistan to a three-run victory over England by getting two crucial wickets in the penultimate over that tilted the game in favour of Pakistan within minutes.
Needing 33 from the last three overs Mohammad Hasnain conceded 24 runs in the 18th over to leave England requiring nine from two overs. However Haris took two wickets in the penultimate over which included the prized scalp of Liam Dawson to leave England needing four from the last over of Mohammad Wasim Junior with one wicket in hand. And of the second ball following a dot one Reece Topley was splendidly run out by Shan Masood which enabled Paskistan secure a thrilling three-run victory and thus levelled the series 2-2 with three games in hand.
Haris also termed Pakistan’s getting early wickets in the powerplay a ‘turning point of the match’.
“You know it’s a T20 game and here fluctuation occurs. I think the way we got early wickets in the powerplay through Hasnain was fantastic. It becomes very difficult when some more runs come in the powerplay but Hasnain did a fine job and I think his getting early wickets was the turning point of the game,” Haris said.
Haris was happy with the super outcome. “Thanks God that Pakistan won the match. It was important match of the series. Every player was giving his hundred percent on the field,” Haris said.
He said that he was already planning how to bowl dangerous Dawson. “The way they scored in Hasnain over I was already planning about him (Dawson) when I was on the field. I had the idea where he would have to bowl. I thought if I could get a wicket at that point, it could be the turning point of the match. Thank God as per plan I bowled him and got a wicket. And I was confident if I bowled a very good delivery to tail-enders they could be got out,” Haris said.
Asked how they support those out of form Haris said as a team they are to back entire squad.
“Any player can be out of form and can struggle at stages, so as a team we are to back our entire squad. It is the preparatory stage for the World Cup so that it could get confidence. The way they have won the games for Pakistan they can stage a comeback any time. We trust our players and as a team we believe in them and we play the game as per our attitude,” said Haris.
Haris said he keeps learning.
“When a player comes in the start he struggles because he does not know about the situation. He learns with the passage of time. I am learning. I have worked with different coaches and the way Shan Tait has worked and has kept all the boys relaxed. In Sri Lanka too we prepared well and thought about it. I had in mind that Asia Cup and World Cup were coming and I was making an effort to work on my fitness and understand the game,” Haris said.
“In T20 cricket you may concede runs sometimes. On a day you bowl very well but on the next day you concede runs. In cricket good and bad days come but you must have confidence in your ability,” said Haris.
Haris agreed that fans backing energies the players.
“The way matches are going and the way crowd is supporting both the teams is fantastic. As a player you get energy through their support and try to improve your performance because the crowd expects from players and effort is made to entertain them as much as possible,” Haris said.
Haris said working with different coaches during his career has helped him learn more.
“Everyone knows that I started my career from Lahore Qalandars. I worked there and then played in the PSL which instilled in me a lot of confidence. Afterwards the way I worked with different coaches I learnt a lot. I have been with Pakistan team for the last two or three years. I worked there with different coaches. When you play and perform obviously fans attach expectations and when you don’t perform it hurts them. And if you perform they become happy. No player wants any bad performance. I always try to deliver my best for the team irrespective of the situation,” Haris said.