In modern cricket, chasing big scores is more important: Haris Rauf

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s star bowler Haris Rauf said that chasing big scores is more important in modern cricket after his team won two ODIs against New Zealand in a row.

“Gone are the days when we had less than 300 runs to face. In modern cricket, the goal is to catch anything that is close to or over 300. “I’m glad we’ve been able to find big amounts,” he told The News.

The pacer also said that as a bowler in ODI cricket, you have to give up runs, so “you should be ready for that.”

In the second ODI on Saturday, Pakistan beat New Zealand by seven wickets because Fakhar Zaman hit his third hundred in a row.

The win gives Pakistan a 2-0 lead in the five-game series. The last three games, on May 3, 5, and 7, will be played in Karachi.

Haris said that wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan did a great job in the middle order. “Twice he was sent in the middle order to help the team finish the match,” he said. Babar [Azam] and Rizwan have done a great job of making new ties.”

He also said that each team was there to do its best. “It’s part of the game to win and lose. But if the team did well in the series, it would get into a good groove for the Asia Cup and then the World Cup. We’d do everything we could to keep the same pace for the rest of the series.”

Pakistan could finish on top of the ICC ODI team points table if they beat New Zealand by a score of 5-0. “The guests will also be glad to see things get better. On the other hand, we would try to make the most of every chance that came our way,” he said.

Haris said that he was ready to bowl even with the new ball during Asia and the World Cup, where he hopes to get the ball to swing backwards. “I did that against Australia, and I’m ready to bowl with a new ball whenever they need me to.”

“I’m a professional cricket player, so I should always be ready to bowl.”