Watch: Haris Rauf had a horror start to Pakistan’s final World Cup group game against England, spraying “a real loosener” way down the leg-side and away for five wides.
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The speedster has struggled at the 2023 World Cup so far, coming into the game with 13 wickets at an average of 37. Pakistan face the steepest of tasks to qualify for the semi-finals, needing to keep England to a miniscule target and then chase it as quickly as possible, and that was made harder by Rauf’s first ball.
It flew way down the leg-side, and would likely have been a wide even to a right-hander. Mohammad Rizwan, the Pakistan wicketkeeper, quickly gave up any hopes of diving after it as the ball flew down to the fine leg rope.
“A man short of confidence,” was the assessment of Nasser Hussain on commentary.
Despite the poor opening delivery, and another wide two balls later, Rauf roused himself to concede no runs off the bat in a pacy opening over. However, three boundaries in his next over followed, and he bowled another five wides, this time with a high bouncer, in his third over.
Watch the wild Haris Rauf wide below:
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