Haris Rauf stresses on middle-over breakthroughs in ODI cricket

Key Takeaways

Pakistan's bowlers have struggled to take wickets in middle overs in recent years.
Haris Rauf warns that allowing batters to settle can be costly for the team.
Modern ODIs require teams to score and chase totals well beyond 300.

Fast bowler Haris Rauf has called for improved performance in the middle overs of One-day Internationals (ODIs) as Pakistan's bowlers have struggled to take wickets in this crucial phase of the game over the past three years.

According to Rauf, Pakistan's bowlers have averaged just 4.11 dismissals between overs 11 and 40 in ODIs since the start of 2023, highlighting the need for better performance in this area.

Speaking to reporters at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, Rauf emphasized the importance of taking wickets in the middle overs, warning that allowing batters to settle could leave the bowling side struggling to recover.

‘If you do not take wickets in the middle overs, you will struggle as a team,’ Rauf said, adding, ‘If their middle-order batters or openers remain at the crease until the end, they can hurt you.’

Pakistan have made a promising start to the ongoing tri-series, beating Sri Lanka by 37 runs and England by 87 in their first two matches. However, the contest between England and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Thursday, when the latter chased down a target of 430 after England posted 429-4, offered a reminder of how little room for error bowlers have on batting-friendly surfaces.

Rauf believes the modern game demands more from both departments, with teams needing to prepare for totals well beyond 300. ‘Nowadays, we may have to score 350-plus runs ourselves at the World Cup and chase totals of 350-plus as well,’ he said.

The support for bowlers is a little less, but you have to keep working on your own skills and make the most of situations when conditions favour you,’ Rauf added.

One potential source of assistance is reverse swing, particularly with the revised ODI playing conditions introduced in July last year. Under the change, two new balls are used until the end of the 34th over, after which the fielding side chooses one ball to be used at both ends for overs 35 to 50.

Previously, a separate ball was used from each end throughout the innings, limiting the extent to which either could age. Haris said the older ball could offer an advantage during daytime matches, when conditions were more conducive to reverse swing, but added that dew could reduce its effectiveness in night games.