Haris Rauf Slams Critics After Pakistan’s Loss to New Zealand in 2nd T20I:

Haris Rauf bashed the critics after his team lost the second T20I against New Zealand today at the University Oval, Dunedin. Pakistan is now on the losing side of a 0-2 score in the five-match series and need to win the remaining matches. This time, the visitors have sent an inexperienced squad for the shortest format as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been sidelined.

In any case, the youngsters have not yet come to the party as Pakistan was bowled out for a mere 91 runs in the first match of the series. While they put on a reasonable display in the second match, their efforts were sub-par as New Zealand steamrolled them in the rain-affected match. In addition, the likes of Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Irfan Khan, and Abdul Samad among others have not performed in the series.

However, the team is under the scrutiny of the critics after the two losses as their performance was lackluster. This is what Rauf seemed not to be pleased with as the remarks were aimed towards the fact that the younger players need to be given time to show what they can do instead of trying to make an impact immediately.

"You mention critiques, but I feel as if it's rather widespread in Pakistan as well. These are younger players. Go anywhere in the world, any team, and they will give the younger players complete support. When they are afforded opportunities to play, they ensure these players feature in 10 to 15 consecutive matches. That is how they nurture talents.

"Every single person who comes into international cricket, faces some kind of issue in the beginning stages. You mention bashing, that has turned into a routine. What people do is wait impatiently for the Pakistani team to mess up so that they can vent their frustration. They are entitled to their judgments, but putting together a team is a process. We are certainly trying to integrate the younger players, the seniors are there too. As seniors, we encourage the younger ones, and offer them the help they need to make it in international cricket. The sooner they get the hang of things, the easier it will be for them," Rauf said following the match.

On March 21, Eden Park in Auckland will host the Third T20I of New Zealand versus Pakistan.