Sanjay Manjrekar: “Haris Rauf had the pace but was not quite able to lead [the attack] like [Jasprit] Bumrah does with his fast bowling”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar believes 150 kph Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has the speed, but is “not quite able to lead [the attack]” like Jasprit Bumrah does for India.
Rauf has been one of Pakistan’s best performing speedsters as of late as he has consistently taken wickets.
During the ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, he claimed one wicket in the one match he played at an average of 23.
He followed that up with two wickets in two games in the 2025 Champions Trophy at an average of 67.50.
Most recently, the 31-year-old was in action in Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand, where he finished with eight wickets in four matches at an average of 12.25.
Despite his wicket-taking abilities, Manjrekar doesn’t feel that Rauf can be classified as a pace spearhead.
“Haris Rauf had the pace but was not quite able to lead [the attack] like [Jasprit] Bumrah does with his fast bowling,” he was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Pakistan and New Zealand are now playing a three-match ODI series, which the Black Caps lead 1-0.
In the 1st ODI, Rauf picked up two wickets.
The 2nd ODI will take place on April 2 in Hamilton.
Pakistan Squad for T20I Series against New Zealand: Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan
Pakistan Squad for ODI Series against New Zealand: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Khan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir
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