The 28-year-old is banking on his knowledge gained from the BBL to outsmart Indian batters in the marquee clash of the T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23
29 September, 2022
PHOTO: Cricket Australia
Pakistan Haris Rauf has been a regular feature for Melbourne Stars in Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) for the last three years.
The 28-year-old is banking on his knowledge gained from the BBL to outsmart Indian batters in the marquee clash of the T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23.
WATCH: Kohli hands over signed jersey to Haris Rauf
"If I give my best, they won't be able to play me easily. For the upcoming World Cup match, I'm very happy because it is at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It is my home ground because I play for the Melbourne Stars, and I have an idea of how the conditions play out there. I've already started planning on how I would bowl against India," Haris said after the fifth T20I against England in Lahore.
Haris Rauf has chalked out plans for the next month's T20 World Cup to befuddle batters in Australia.
"I have played first-grade cricket in Australia for two years and I observed batters over there play cut and pull really well if we give them width. My aim was to bowl within the stumps on the hard length which is an effective ploy. Because at (high) pace, when batter tries to hit towards midwicket on a length ball, it can be your wicket-taking ball," said Haris Rauf.
He mentioned how Glenn Maxwell, Melbourne Stars captain, used to set up a fielding that helped him bag wickets. "So during my stint with BBL, I always tried to bowl at hard lengths because my captain Glenn Maxwell always brought up mid-on and mid-off and told me whoever tries to target these areas will have a higher chance of giving away their wicket."
Haris mentioned he was under pressure while facing India in the last T20 World Cup.
"Batters try to read you as well so we have to try different things to make it difficult for the batters. I was under pressure in the last World Cup match against India but in the last two matches (in Asia Cup against India), I felt no pressure and I knew if I deliver my best balls, they (batters) can't play me easily.
Haris has attained his career-best ranking after climbing seven spots in ICC Men’s T20I Bowler Rankings to No. 14. He is now the top-ranked bowler in this format for Pakistan.
