It was important that I show him respect, says Rauf after dismissing Afridi
Haris Rauf said he has a lot of respect for Shahid Afridi and that was his way of expressing it
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Lahore Qalandars pacer Haris Rauf, who stole the limelight in the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) second eliminator on Sunday after coming up with an incredible gesture of respect towards veteran all-rounder Shahid Afridi, said that the former Pakistan captain is a superstar and it was necessary to show him respect.
Speaking with the espncricinfo, he said, “I am usually much more aggressive after taking a wicket but when I dismissed Shahid bhai yesterday, it was different. He is a Pakistani superstar.”
He further said that he [Shahid Afridi] has performed exceptionally and won many games for Pakistan. So it was that he show him [Afridi] some respect.”
To a question, the Lahore Qalandars pacer said that he didn’t apologise to the veteran all-rounder but he just had given him some respect and that was his style of doing it.
Rauf said: “For all that he has done for Pakistan, he has a lot of respect for the former captain and that was his way of expressing it.”
It was important that I show him some respect. - Haris Rauf after dismissing superstar Shahid Afridi first ball #PSL2020 pic.twitter.com/Ox07Thz2w0
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 16, 2020
Fighting for a spot in the final, Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans locked horns at the National Stadium in Karachi on November 15. After setting a target of 183, Lahore bundled Multan on 157 in 19.1 overs to win the match by 25 runs.
For the Qalandars, South Africa’s David Wiese made the difference as he starred with both bat and ball. After scoring a quickfire 48 off just 21 balls with five fours and three sixes, he shone in the second innings as he registered a brilliant 3/27 off his stipulated four overs.
Alongside Wiese, Rauf tormented the Sultans’ batsmen as he scalped three wickets, giving away just 30 runs at an economy rate of 7.50. Out of his three victims, Afridi was one of them.
In the 14th over of the chase, Afridi came in place of Rilee Rossouw when Multan Sultans were reduced to 116/5. On the fifth ball of his over, Rauf castled Afridi for a first ball duck with a beauty.
Rauf’s inswinging delivery sneaked through Afridi’s legs and dislodged the bails in some fashion. As soon as the ball hit the stumps, the pacer apologised to Afridi with folded hands.
