Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf, who has been facing scrutiny along with the national team after their early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, has spoken out about a recent altercation with a fan. A video of Rauf engaged in a heated argument went viral on social media following Pakistan's defeats against the USA and India in the group stage, attracting significant public and media attention.
Rauf released a statement on X, addressing the incident. "I initially chose not to address this on social media, but now that the video has surfaced, I believe it is important to clarify the situation," he stated. "As public figures, we are subject to feedback from the public, whether it is supportive or critical. However, I will not tolerate disrespect towards my family. It is crucial to show respect towards individuals and their families, regardless of their profession," he emphasised.
In the viral clip, Rauf is seen walking alongside his wife when he encounters a group of people. While the exact words exchanged are not audible, the interaction causes Rauf to lose his temper and approach one of the individuals aggressively.
Shaheen Shah Afridi also expressed his support for Rauf on his X account, condemning the treatment his teammate received. "It is absolutely disgraceful how Haris Rauf was treated. No one has the right to belittle and disrespect another person. I’m also shocked by those who have shared this video. Why prioritise a few likes over our humanity? Stay strong, Haris. We stand united with you," Afridi wrote.
Additionally, Hasan Ali, who was not part of Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad, urged fans to be constructive in their criticism on social media. "I’ve seen a video circulating online about Harry (Haris Rauf) and I urge all my dearest cricket fans to remember that criticism can be constructive without being hurtful. Let’s keep the debate respectful and considerate of the players’ families. Let’s promote love, peace, and respect for the GAME. We all want Pakistan cricket to rise," Ali stated.
Despite the team's early exit from the tournament, Rauf's performance was notable. In four games, he took seven wickets at an economy rate of 6.73, tying with Mohammad Amir as the joint-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan.