Criticism Common In Pakistan: Speedster Backs Babar-Rizwan Less Team To Do Wonders

Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf said that criticism is the norm now in Pakistan and praise is an exception for the national cricket team. But he backed the new T20 team which is without the famed duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. But for that to happen, according to Rauf, the youngsters must be given a long rope. 

"You talk about criticism, I think it has become common in Pakistan," Rauf was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo after Pakistan’s loss in the second T20I against New Zealand. They are now down 0-2 in the five-match series. 

"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,” Rauf added. 

Explaining the current situation in Pakistan against the cricketers, Rauf said, "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. 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."

The Pakistan team have been under tremendous pressure as they have failed to reach even the semi-finals of any ICC event since the 2022 T20 World Cup. And in the Champions Trophy that they hosted, the Men in Green failed to win even a single game.