Haris Rauf recalls his memories of bowling to Virat Kohli in Indian net session

Pakistan pace bowler Haris Rauf has played 28 ODIs so far in his career.

Pakistan suffered a massive setback after Naseem Shah was ruled out of the entire World Cup 2023 in India. Naseem Shah injured his shoulder, Pakistan had to make a forced change, and Hasan Ali was added. Pakistan have one of the most lethal bowling attacks, with Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf playing together in the same XI. Both of them scared opponents with their pace and movement.

Haris Rauf is one of the leading pacers in the world right now. Rauf’s pace has troubled several batters in white-ball cricket. Rauf, in a chat with a sports news portal, recalled his memories of bowling to Virat Kohli in Indian net session. Rauf recalled India's tour of Australia in 2018–19, when he was inducted as a net bowler in Indian camp. Rauf was not an international player then, and he was playing in Big Bash League.

Haris Rauf recalls bowling to Virat Kohli

Pakistani pacer remembers his experience of bowling to Virat Kohli and said that he felt like he was playing a match against Kohli. Rauf said, “When I was a net bowler for the Indian team and was bowling to Virat Kohli, I felt like he knew where the ball was going to hit his bat. He was very focused, and that showed how sharp his concentration was.” Haris Rauf made his international debut in the year 2020 against Bangladesh at Gaddafi Stadium.

Haris Rauf added, “Even during practice sessions in the nets, it felt like I was playing a match against him, despite being a net bowler. His remarkable control and intensity made me realise why he has such a reputation in the game.” Virat Kohli played a remarkable shot that will go down in history in 2022 T20 World game at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Fans still remind both of them of that iconic over-the-head six by Virat Kohli.

'Dale Steyn is my idol'

Pakistani pacer also revealed that he admired former South African pace bowler Dale Steyn a lot. Talking about his inspiration, Rauf said, “I used to watch Dale Steyn, and I liked the way he used to show aggression on the field after picking up a wicket. He inspired me to be aggressive in the field. That’s why he is my idol.” Haris will play a crucial role for Pakistan in 2023 World Cup. He has played 28 ODIs in his career so far and picked up 53 wickets.