Haris Rauf made it clear that Pakistan’s players were unaffected by the off-field storm that surrounded their Asia Cup group-stage clash against the UAE, as the side led by Salman Ali Agha brushed aside uncertainty to secure a berth in the Super 4s.
Tension had loomed over the fixture after the PCB lodged multiple complaints with the ICC demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, following the now-infamous handshake controversy in the India game. The ICC rejected the request several times before Pycroft himself stepped in to clarify matters with the team management, paving the way for the match to go ahead—albeit with a delayed start.
For Rauf, though, none of it mattered once he crossed the boundary rope.
“I wasn’t feeling any pressure. This is not in my control. These are decisions for the board; it’s their headache,” Rauf said at the post-match press conference. “For me, I had to play the match, my focus was on that. The management have handled things pretty well.”
The fast bowler, back in the XI, played his part as Pakistan claimed a dragged-out win, with Shaheen Afridi leading the way in an all-round show. It was the response the team needed after being comprehensively beaten by India earlier in the tournament.
But doubts remain about whether this Pakistan side can really emulate the Champions Trophy-winning squad of 2017, who overcame chaos to script a famous triumph.
“It’s not my domain to speak on who plays and who doesn’t—that’s for the coaches and captain,” Rauf said when asked about parallels to that side. “As a player, if we get the opportunity, it’s on us to make the most of it. As for the batsmen, I’m sure they are discussing things among themselves. We have a few days before the next game, so hopefully we can prepare well.”
That next game is a blockbuster: a Super 4 showdown against defending champions India on September 21. After the off-field noise and the setback in their first meeting, Pakistan will have to put distractions firmly behind them if they are to spark a turnaround.
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