Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf on Saturday said the team was trying toshut out the noise and focus after a torrent of criticism over their shockloss to Zimbabwe at the Twenty20 World Cup.
Pakistan will take on the Netherlands in Perth on Sunday to try and stayalive in the tournament after nailbiting one-run defeats to Zimbabwe andarch-rivals India.
Former Pakistani stars including Shoaib Akhtar and Javed Miandad slammedthe team for their poor start to the World Cup, describing their batting as”shameful” during the loss to Zimbabwe.
“It is people’s job to talk, so they will talk. You face criticism in anysport you play,” Rauf told reporters.
“We have come here to play a tournament and our focus is on that. So we trynot to listen to them (ex-players and pundits) much and play our game. Evensome positive talk can hurt you and negative talk can also hurt you.”
Pakistan witnessed a special performance in their first match of thetournament from superstar batsman Virat Kohli as India chased down 160 onthe final ball at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground.
But it was the second loss against the 11th-ranked Zimbabwe that stungtheir supporters more as the Pakistani batting lineup choked while chasinga modest 130.
They ended a run short of Zimbabwe’s total, with two run-outs on the lasttwo balls of the innings.
*- ‘We have belief’ -*
Rauf said despite the defeats, morale was high in the Pakistani camp.
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“We haven’t had the kind of start that we wanted. But the team morale isgood,” the paceman said, adding that the games against Zimbabwe and Indiawere close.
“There is hurt but we have belief in each other’s abilities. We have bondedwell, sat together and tried to address our mistakes,” he said.
And while the Netherlands have also lost both their Super 12 matches, Raufstressed that Pakistan will not be taking the challenge lightly.
“There is no weak or strong team in a World Cup. Everyone playing aninternational game and has come to win the cup,” said Rauf.
Netherlands coach Ryan Cook said Saturday his team was ready for thePakistan clash.
“We’ve obviously seen that Pakistan team is beatable, so that’s good toknow,” said Cook.
“Playing them in the World Super League not so long ago in the Netherlandshas given us a lot of confidence because we came quite close in thosematches. Hoping to get over the line this time.”
