Lahore: Haris Rauf, a Pakistani paceman, expressed a confident outlook onthe eve of the national team’s departure for India, boldly predicting thatPakistan would reach the final of the ICC World Cup.
Addressing a press conference arranged by the Pakistan Cricket Board beforethe squad’s departure to India via Dubai, Haris confidently stated, “Idon’t know which teams will be in the World Cup semi-finals, but I seePakistan in the final.”
Two other members of the World Cup squad, Abdullah Shafique and Salman AliAgha, also held separate press conferences. It’s worth noting that the PCBhad originally announced that Imam-ul-Haq, Hasan Ali, Haris, and Salmanwould address the press, but only Haris, Abdullah, and Salman were presentdue to a delay caused by the ICC’s World Cup promotional campaign shoot.
Haris acknowledged that the World Cup would present different playingconditions at various venues in India but emphasized that “nothing is a bigchange as far as cricket is concerned” since it’s all white-ball cricket.
He mentioned that the team management would adapt their plans accordinglyafter assessing the conditions in India. Haris explained that he hadn’t setany individual targets for the World Cup, emphasizing the importance ofteamwork. He expressed confidence in Hasan Ali’s performance, consideringhim an experienced bowler who had played alongside the current Pakistanipace attack.
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Addressing concerns about Pakistani bowlers’ performance in big matches,Haris pointed out that in cricket, performance can vary from day to day.Abdullah, the third opener in the squad, expressed his readiness to givehis best if given the chance to play, stressing that team selection was notwithin his control.
Salman discussed the need for Pakistan to move past their disappointingperformance in the Asia Cup and focus on the World Cup. He acknowledged thedream come true of participating in a World Cup and emphasized theimportance of both batting and bowling during the middle overs in thetournament. Salman also acknowledged the extra pressure that comes withplaying in India but pledged to manage it for better performance.
