Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Deep Dasgupta has tipped Haris Rauf as the best among the three Pakistan fast bowlers after their comprehensive win against Bangladesh. Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Wednesday to kick off the Super Fours stage on a winning note.
Bangladesh was bundled out for 193 runs after the visitors’ captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and decided to bat first. The chief destroyer was Haris Rauf as the gun fast bowler returned with impressive figures of 4-19 in the six overs he bowled.
Rauf accounted for Mohammad Naim, Towhid Hridoy, Taskin Ahmed, and Mushfiqur Rahim. Furthermore, Naseem Shah scalped three wickets as Pakistan fast bowlers were right on the money.
Dasgupta lauded Haris Rauf for his ability to strike at any stage of an innings. Rauf is the leading wicket-taker of the ongoing continental tournament with nine scalps in three matches at an average of 10.33.
“We do talk a lot about Shahen Afridi and of course Naseem Shah. But Haris Rauf, to me, is the best among the 3 because he can take wickets at every stage of the match,” Dasgupta told Star Sports.
“You give him the new ball, he will pick wickets, you get him in the middle-overs, he will deliver. You get him at the death, he will pick wickets. So for me, he is the key there. You just throw the ball to him and he will get you wickets.”
On the other hand, former Pakistan skipper and legendary pacer Waqar Younis also showered praise on Haris Rauf for his accurate bowling and extra pace.
“His pace makes a big difference and then of course, he is learning the art of hitting right lengths and reading the game really, really well. He understood that the pitch was flat here, and he bowled short of the length beautifully. He maintained the outside of the off-stump line and he kept the pressure on after the new-ball bowlers got those wickets. I think he is doing an excellent job,” Waqar said.
Rauf has scalped 53 wickets in 27 ODI matches at an average of 23.81. Pakistan will face India in their next Super Fours stage match at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday.
