With the series now 2-2, the T20I series of seven games between Pakistan and England is all set for a grand finish. The fourth T20I, the last in Karachi, saw Pakistan equalize the series with three games to go. While England needed 34 runs from the last three overs, Liam Dawson hit four fours and a six for all but the England game. However, Rauf had other ideas when he fired Dawson and Olly Stone from consecutive deliveries to sway the match in Pakistan’s favour.
During a YouTube live session, former Pakistani captain Salman Butt was asked why Rauf is not as famous as fast bowling great Shoaib Akhtar. It is striking that both Rauf and Akhtar are from Rawalpindi.
In response to the question, Butt said comparing Rauf to Akhtar is like drawing parallels between an Indian actor with Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and AMitabh Bachchan.
“It’s like comparing an Indian hero to Shah Rukh Khan or Amitabh Bachchan. You don’t become a superstar overnight. Players like Shoaib Akhtar have turned the test match into 2-3 overs. Haris doesn’t even have tests didn’t just become famous. In Akhtar’s last game of his career, he clocked 159.8 km/h. Here Haris is still young and I don’t remember anyone let alone him, bowl so fast. Haris is famous , he is also a star of Pakistan, but you can’t become Shoaib Akhtar or Wasim Akram in 2-3 games, especially if you only play one format (T20),’ said Butt.
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Butt also highlighted the fact that while Akhtar was a match winner across all formats, Rauf has yet to make his test debut.
“You have to play Tests. You have to play for five days, you have to clock 150 km/h in morning, afternoon and evening sessions. This is not like bowling 4 overs in T20s. You just can’t compare based on T20Is. should last for five days first, right now we are talking about resting after 4 T20s! So there is a lot more to accomplish,” he added.
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