‘If you want to be remembered as a great, play Tests’: Wasim Akram to Haris Rauf - 2 minutes read
Pakistan legend Wasim Akram has come down heavily on pacer Haris Rauf, who has chosen to skip the Test tour of Australia, citing workload issues. While announcing the squad for the Test series last month, Pakistan’s new chief selector Wahab Riaz claimed that Rauf opted out of the Tests at the last moment as he wanted to feature in the Big Bash League.
Akram has warned that if Rauf has to be considered about the modern day greats, he has to manage the workload better and play Tests regularly. “That’s his decision. He’s a contracted player, so there’s a lot of controversies back home,” Akram told reporters, about Rauf’s decision to skip the Tests.
“There are some white-ball specialist cricketers in this day and age … if he thinks he’s not there as yet, then that’s his call. Test is a big boy’s game at the end of the day. You’ve got to bowl eight-over spells,” Akram added.
Rauf, who has been a regular feature in Pakistan’s white-ball set-up, especially in the T20s, has played only one Test so far. He bowled only 13 overs in the match against England last year, and has since not shown any interest in playing the long format. Despite bowling at excess of 150kmph, Rauf is widely considered only as a white-ball specialist.
“In T20 you bowl four overs and stand at fine leg. Piece of cake. Test cricket is a long race, and if you want to be remembered as a great of the game, that’s where Test cricket comes in,” Akram said.
Source: The Indian Express
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