PAK vs ENG: 'It's Like Comparing Any Indian Hero To Shah Rukh Khan': Salman Butt On Haris Rauf's Comparison With Shoaib Akhtar

Haris Rauf’s impressive death bowling helped Pakistan beat England in the fourth T20I to level the ongoing seven-match series at the National Stadium in Karachi on Sunday. England were bowled out for 163 runs with four balls left, and Pakistan won by three runs.

Pakistan’s pace attack performed well in this match. While Mohammad Nawaz and Haris Rauf took three wickets each, Mohammad Hasnain took two wickets, and Mohammad Wasim took one wicket.

Mohammad Hasnain ended up conceding 24 runs in the 18th over, and the momentum shifted towards England. However, there was another twist in the tale as Rauf took two wickets in two balls, including Liam Dawson, who was looking to take England home, to put his side very close to a famous victory.

It’s like comparing any Indian hero to Shah Rukh – Salman Butt

Haris Rauf, who clocks over 150kph consistently, is widely regarded as one of the fastest bowlers in the current generation. During a YouTube live session, a fan asked the former captain Salman Butt why Haris is not as famous as Shoaib Akhtar.

“It’s just like comparing any Indian hero to Shah Rukh Khan or Amitabh Bachchan. You don’t become like that overnight. Players like Shoaib Akhtar have changed the Test match in 2-3 overs. Haris hasn’t even played Tests. You don’t become famous just like that,” said the former Pakistan skipper.

“In Akhtar’s last match in his career, he had clocked 159.8kph. Here, Haris is still young and I don’t remember anyone, let alone him, bowl that quick. Haris is famous, he is also a star of Pakistan, but you can’t become a Shoaib Akhtar or Wasim Akram in 2-3 games, or playing in only one format.”

Haris Rauf Have To Play Test Matches – Salman Butt

The former Pakistan opener said Haris needs to survive a five-day Test match before the comparisons can be made.

“You have to play Tests. You have to play five days, you have to clock 150kph in morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. This isn’t like bowling 4 overs in T20s. You just can’t compare on the basis of T20Is. You should last five days first, right now we are talking about resting after 4 T20s! So, there’s a lot more to achieve,” said the former Pakistan captain.

Also read: IND vs SA: We Are Expecting It To Be Good and Competitive Series – South Africa Skipper Temba Bavuma