“There is no doubt that our cricket has declined” - Haris Rauf after 2nd T20I loss to New Zealand

Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf has come out in defense of young top-order batters, who are failing to create an impact in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. With Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan axed from the T20I squad, Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Haris have been given the opening slots.

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On the other hand, Irfan Khan has taken the No.4 position with skipper Agha Salman coming in at the No.3 slot. Interestingly, all top-order batters failed so far in two concluded matches in the five-match T20I series.

It’s important to note that Men In Green is going through a transition phase. Haris Rauf has admitted that Pakistan cricket has declined of late and is in the learning stage despite suffering from multiple failures.

"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," Rauf said in the post-match press conference after the conclusion of the second T20I.

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"You talk about criticism, I think it has become common in Pakistan. 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 

"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," he added.

Moving into the details of the second T20I that was shortened to a 15-over game, Pakistan batted first and could post 135/9 in 15 overs. In response, New Zealand chased down the total in 13.1 overs with Tim Seifert shining with 45 runs. Haris Rauf scalped two important wickets with the ball.

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