In a recent press conference, Pakistan's fast bowler Haris Rauf addressed concerns raised by a journalist regarding the team's perceived lack of aggression in their fixtures against India. The pacer's sharp response underscored the essence of sportsmanship as he emphasized that Pakistan was gearing up for a cricket match with India, not a battlefield confrontation.
"Why should I go and fight with Indians? It is cricket and not war," Rauf replied to the question on aggression.
Rauf's remarks come in the backdrop of a challenging time for the Pakistan cricket squad. The team faced setbacks in the Asia Cup 2023, with Rauf missing out on the crucial Super 4 match against India due to a shoulder injury. Clarifying his current health status, the fast bowler reassured fans and critics alike about his fitness, expressing his eagerness to represent Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup 2023.
"Playing in any tournament for your country is a big deal. My fitness is better than before. We have confidence in ourselves as a team. The team management will decide whether to give me the new ball or the old ball," Rauf said about his fitness
"I have no specific goal set for the World Cup. More emphasis is on team performance than individual performance," he further added.
To compound the challenges for the Pakistan team, young speedster Naseem Shah has been declared unfit for the entire World Cup tournament, dealing a significant blow to their bowling unit. Furthermore, the team's batting lineup faced intense scrutiny after their underwhelming performance against India during the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup.
The looming World Cup has brought heightened attention and pressure to the team, and Rauf's recent interactions with the media reflect the intensity and passion associated with such a major event. As the squad prepares for their next big challenge, fans eagerly anticipate how Pakistan will respond on the field, especially in light of the recent challenges they've faced.
Pakistan Squad for ODI World Cup: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Wasim Junior, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir.
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