‘He’s A Run Machine As A Bowler, Especially Against India’: Wasim Akram Slams Haris Rauf | Watch | Cricket News

Haris Rauf bowled 3.4 overs for Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup 2025 against India and conceded 50 runs. He was unable to take any wickets for the Salman Ali Agha-led side in the 147-run chase at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, and his poor bowling performance was one of the major reasons for Pakistan’s defeat in the summit clash.

After Pakistan suffered a defeat by five wickets against India in the Asia Cup 2025 final, former Pakistani captain and legendary pacer Wasim Akram lashed out at Rauf.

He criticised Rauf’s bowling and said that he is a run machine as a bowler, especially against India.

According to Akram, the whole of Pakistan is criticising Rauf for his bowling, and he added that the Rawalpindi-based cricketer, who is also Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is, won’t improve unless he starts playing red-ball cricket.

“A lot of mistakes were made by the Pakistan captain. Bowling changes – Haris Rauf went for 15 runs. He is, unfortunately, a run machine, especially against India. I am not criticising him; the whole country is. He does not play red ball cricket. He is not going to improve if he is not going to 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.

Rauf played a total of five matches for Men in Green in the Asia Cup 2025 and picked up nine wickets. In the Super 4s match against India on September 21, he dismissed two batters, and he picked up three wickets against Bangladesh on September 25.

Tilak and Kuldeep impressed

In the final of the Asia Cup 2025, Kuldeep picked up 4 wickets for 30 runs in four overs for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side. He opened his wicket account by dismissing Saim Ayub, who was caught by Jasprit Bumrah, and then removed Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Faheem Ashraf in one over.

In the 147-run chase, when India lost 3 batters for 20 runs inside four overs, Tilak Varma stepped up and scored 69 runs from 53 balls. He added 57 runs for the fourth wicket with Sanju Samson (24 runs from 21 balls) and 60 runs with Shivam Dube (33 runs from 22 balls) for the fifth wicket.

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