Wasim Akram insults 'run-machine' Haris Rauf after Pakistan lose Asia Cup final to India: 'He refused to be in the team'

Wasim Akram praises India's victory while criticizing Haris Rauf's bowling and lack of red-ball cricket experience.

India once again emerged victorious over its rival, Pakistan, this time in the final of the Asia Cup 2025, to win their ninth title. Pakistan legend Wasim Akram seemed to be relatively happy with the team's performance this time around, but didn't shy away from criticising the captaincy moves and the bowling of the pacer, Haris Rauf. In the post-match show, Akram expressed his disappointment in Salman Agha, and then some frustration as he went on to describe Rauf's lacklustre show.

Pakistan's Haris Rauf in action (REUTERS)

"A Lot of mistakes made by the Pakistan captain. Bowling changes, Haris Rauf went for 15 runs. He is, unfortunately, a run machine, and especially against India. I am not criticising him, the whole country is. He does not play red ball cricket. He refused to be in the team, at least play four or five first-class games," Akram said while speaking on The Sony Sports Network.

This criticism from the legend is not a misfit, given the express pacer's returns of 0/50 in his four overs. A lot of hope was pinned on him, especially given his pacer's X-factor, that he would turn the game in favour of Pakistan.

Haris Rauf receives deserved criticism

Given his role as a premier bowler, Agha trusted him with the 15th over, when India needed 64 runs off six overs. All Pakistan needed was for him to close out the over. However, he tried to pick up wickets at the stage and conceded 17 runs, releasing pressure. Even during the 18th over, he bowled well but failed to close it, conceding a six off the last ball. This allowed India to close in and eventually beat Pakistan on the night that mattered the most.

Akram also spoke about Rauf concentrating only on T20 cricket. Notably, Rauf has retired from Test cricket and has focused on playing franchise cricket around the world. This is the fact that the legend criticised. Akram feels that the lack of exposure to red-ball cricket has not built the temperament in him to perform under pressure.

Even after that particular moment, Akram went all out at the bowler. After some time, he again said that the bowler's lack of temperament was due to the fact that he did not play red-ball cricket. He even suggested that Pakistan should keep it in the players' contracts that to play in T20Is, they need to play first-class cricket, too.