‘Don’t change the narrative of Haris Rauf incident’ – Ahmed Shehzad demands Pakistan stars on holiday apologise for T20 World Cup exit

The 2024 T20 World Cup was a horror tournament for Pakistan. After defeats against the underdog USA and arch-rivals India, the country had to accept the disgrace of being eliminated in the group stage.

The runners-up of the 2022 edition have been criticized from all sides for not meeting the minimum requirements to qualify for the Super 8. Not only are the players under fire, there have also been unpleasant incidents with some players.

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Most recently, there was an argument between Haris Rauf and a fan in front of his residence in the USA. The fan is said to have insulted the player, which almost led to a physical altercation between the angry Rauf and the fan in question.

The incident has led to other Pakistani players and pundits coming out in support of the fast bowler, all urging fans to respect the players’ privacy. Almost all members of Pakistan’s World Cup team posted support for their teammate on social media.

However, disgraced batsman and pundit Ahmed Shehzad sharply criticised the players and suggested that these posts should not distract fans’ attention from the fact that they all performed miserably in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

MORE: Was the fan who insulted Haris Rauf Indian or Pakistani?

Ahmed Shehzad: Pakistani players should apologise to their fans instead of holidaying in the UK and the US

Shehzad, 32, took aim at Pakistan’s stars, many of whom had stayed in the US or flown to the UK for holidays after their ignominious exit from the T20 World Cup.

He felt that the players owed the fans an apology and that they should have faced the fans instead of going on holiday. He also felt that the players’ mass posts in support of Rauf were an attempt to deflect criticism and change the narrative surrounding Pakistan’s exit from the World Cup.

On X (formerly Twitter), Shehzad wrote: “We strongly condemn the fate of Haris Rauf. At the same time, it is also important that the posts made by the players in support of Haris are removed by the fans due to his poor performance at the World Cup.”

“It should have been an apology. It would be good if these players apologized to the nation, if these players were ashamed and if these players returned to Pakistan instead of spending their holidays in America, England or Dubai. These posts by the players should not change the story and the fans should get answers about the poor performances of the players.”

Pakistani players value personal milestones – Shehzad

The opening batsman also sharply criticized Babar Azam’s team, saying that they have always prioritized personal records over team performance and stressed that they have never won anything in the last five years.

“Responsibility is very important now. The same group of players have won nothing for our country in the last five years and have continued to put personal milestones above the collective success of Pakistan,” he added.

MORE: Babar Azam & Co. fly to London – reports