Former Pakistan cricketers tore into Haris Rauf for his abysmal bowling display in the Asia Cup 2025 final against India in Dubai on Sunday (September 28).
Despite being reduced to 20/3 in the chase of 147, the Men in Blue defeated Pakistan by five wickets to clinch the continental crown for the record-extending ninth time.
India’s middle-order batters were particularly were severe on Rauf, who conceded 50 runs in just 3.4 overs.
Speaking on Samaa TV, ex-Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf voice concerns about Rauf’s performance at the death.
“We have to understand Haris Rauf – how many matches he has blown away at the end (“marwaa diya”). He shouldn’t be bowling the end overs. You remember the past world cups – har jagah isney maar khaayi hai (he has been smashed everywhere) … If he had bowled better, the scenario would have been different,” Yousuf said.
Former wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal highlighted Rauf’s struggles in high-stake games. “Haris Rauf doesn’t win the big games. We all remember the Melbourne game (when Kohli hit Rauf for two sixes). The captain has to understand which bowler needs to be used in such situations. We are not learning, keep making mistakes,” Akmal told ARY News.
Tauseef Ahmed, former Pakistan spinner, slammed Rauf’s repeated poor showing in crucial moments.
“We say anything can happen in cricket. But why do such things only happen to Haris Rauf in cricket? We have other bowlers who are outside. Stop the stories of franchise cricket. End franchise’s influence. Only Haris Rauf could have done this. Not Hasan Ali or another youngster. We also have been hit in our time, but not every time like this.”
The match was hanging in balance when Haris Rauf was brought in for the 15th over, after spinners had given away only 13 runs in three overs. Rauf concede 17 runs in that over, shifting momentum firmly towards India.
Mohammad Amir, former left-arm pacer, pointed out the tactical mistake. "It was a huge mistake to give Rauf that over. The spinners had created a momentum towards you. But they removed the spinner Saim and brought in the fast bowler Rauf, and that changed the momentum completely. No doubt he is your wicket-taking bowler, but that situation demanded spinners to be bowled. You wouldn’t have lost this game. Shaheen and Faheem had bowled so well in the powerplay,” Amir said on his YouTube channel.
Former captain Rashid Latif advocated for alternative bowling options. “Haris Rauf shouldn’t have bowled that over. Abrar Ahmed should have bowled that and when he came back, he had to change ends. That’s very important for a spinner. Saim could have bowled, we never gave Mohammad Nawaz,” Rashid said on Geo News.
Coming to the Asia Cup final, Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson steadied the ship after India’s top three fell cheaply. The middle-order pair added 57 runs for the fourth wicket.
Samson was dismissed for 24, but Tilak (69* off 53) stayed till the end to take his team over the line with two deliveries to spare. Shivam Dube (33 off 22) also produced a stunning cameo to put India on the brink of victory, while Rinku Singh (4*) hit the winning boundary.
