ICC World Cup 2023: Harsha Bhogle believes Haris Rauf needs to improve form

The performance of the Pakistan cricket team in the Asia Cup 2023 raised serious concerns among the camp and with pacer Naseem Shah missing the ICC World Cup 2023, the Green Shirts have one more thing to worry about.

Fast bowler Haris Rauf wouldn't want to remember his bowling display against Australia in the warm-up match as the pacer conceded 97 runs in just nine overs, increasing the worries for his skipper, Babar Azam.

Pakistan conceded 351 runs while bowling against Australia, as their bowlers, especially pacers couldn’t find any answers against the strong batting attack of the Aussies.

Rauf’s performance sent serious shock waves among the fans, especially Pakistanis, and renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle also weighed in saying that the Men in Green now have something to worry about as they kick off their World Cup campaign on October 6.

While addressing Rauf’s form, Bhogle also raised a question as the Pakistani team seemed confused over whom to play between Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jr.

“You don't read a lot into warm-up games but Pakistan might want Haris Rauf to be in better form. Question is: do they know who to play between Hasan Ali and Mohd Wasim?” Bhogla wrote on X.

It must be noted that despite posting a colossal total of 345 against New Zealand in their first warm-up match, Pakistan not only lost by five wickets but the Black Caps chased the target in just 43.4 overs courtesy of a subpar bowling display by the Green Shirts.

Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha.

Travelling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan.

Pakistan's schedule for the ICC World Cup 2023

October 6 — vs Netherlands in Hyderabad

October 10 — vs Sri Lanka in Hyderabad

October 14 — vs India in Ahmedabad

October 20 — vs Australia in Bengaluru

October 23 — vs Afghanistan in Chennai

October 27 — vs South Africa in Chennai

October 31 — vs Bangladesh in Kolkata

November 4 — vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)

November 11 — vs England in Kolkata

The day matches which will start at 10:00am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures starting at 01:30pm (PST).

If Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, they will play in Kolkata.

If India qualify for the semi-finals, they will play in Mumbai unless playing against Pakistan, in which case they will play in Kolkata.

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