Pakistan seamer Haris Rauf: “My job is to take wickets, not just stop runs. I can bowl defensively too, but people need to understand my role”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan pace bowler Haris Rauf has made it clear that his “job is to take wickets”, urging critics to better understand his role in the team.
Rauf’s remarks come amid ongoing criticism over his tendency to concede a lot of runs.
However, the 32-year-old has been in impressive form in recent months, silencing some of his detractors with consistent performances.
He topped the wicket-taking charts in the Big Bash League (BBL), claiming 20 wickets for the Melbourne Stars.
Carrying that momentum into the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL), Rauf picked up 12 wickets in nine matches for the Lahore Qalandars at an average of 24.08 and an economy rate of 9.79.
“My job is to take wickets, not just stop runs. I can bowl defensively too, but people need to understand my role,” Rauf was quoted as saying by Khel Shel.
The Rawalpindi native did not feature in Pakistan’s two-Test series against Bangladesh, which they lost 2-0.
However, he was involved in the three-match ODI series against Australia and claimed four wickets at an average of 26.50.
Next up for Pakistan will be a two-Test series against the West Indies, which will be held in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25 to August 6.