Pakistan’s pace sensation Haris Rauf, who recently lit up the 2019-20 season of Big Bash League, has stated that bowling to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma shall be the biggest challenge in the T20 World Cup.
The Indian top-order is in stronger hands, with the likes of Rohit, Virat and Shikhar Dhawan. In the 2019 ODI World Cup, Rohit smashed five tons in a single tournament to announce himself at the grand stage.
Both Rohit and Virat have matched each other ton for ton, especially since the former’s promotion at the opening slot in 2013.
The two prolific run-scorers have often stitched monumental partnerships to demoralize bowlers with their fluent strokeplay.
“This being a World Cup competition, the quality of opposition will be very tough as top players from each country will be playing in it so all batsmen will be difficult to bowl to. But looking at the top T20I players in the world, to be the greatest challenge will come from the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma,” Rauf told a Pakistani media channel.
Rauf, together with the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammed Hasnain, ensured that Pakistan’s line of manufacturing pacers is evergreen. The 26-year old Rauf picked up 20 scalps in the tournament donning the greens of Melbourne Stars.
“To do well against such top-quality batsmen will do wonders for my confidence and to be honest, based on my experience in BBL, I should be able to do well in the World Cup if given a chance. It is my nature that I don’t let any batsman dominate me,” added Rauf.
The Rawalpindi-born has been instrumental for the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as well. His inspirational performances helped him receive his international cap against Bangladesh earlier in 2020.
“It’s a given that any Pakistan versus India game comes with its own special pressure and tension. The pressure is equally high on both sides with supporters of each side wanting to win at all costs. For me, any game such as the one between Pakistan and India, which has more pressure in it brings out the best in me,” Rauf concluded.
