Sports · Cricket · 2 hrs ago
Rauf says Pakistan must target bigger totals in ODI cricket
Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf says his job is to take key wickets alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.
Pakistan have won their opening matches against Sri Lanka and England in an ongoing ODI tri-series.
Rauf says teams may need to score 350 because modern cricket is producing totals above 300 and sometimes 400.
He says wickets in the middle overs can slow opponents and stop them building strong partnerships.
Rauf is also working on his fitness and pace, which he sees as important strengths for fast bowlers.
Pakistan face England next at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday after a two-day break.
Haris Rauf said Pakistan must aim to post totals of 350 in one-day internationals as scoring rates rise.
He said defending 300 runs was encouraging but teams are now scoring more than 300 or 400.
Rauf described taking wickets in the middle overs as important to limiting opposition scoring and partnerships.
He said his role alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah is to take important wickets for Pakistan.
Pakistan had won its opening tri-series matches against Sri Lanka and England.
- Who
- Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf.
- What
- He said Pakistan must target totals of 350 in ODI cricket as teams score more runs.
- When
- He made the remarks during the ongoing ODI tri-series. The article was published on October 24, 2026.
- Where
- Rauf spoke to the media in Lahore.
- Why
- He said modern cricket has become more aggressive, with teams scoring more than 300 or 400 runs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka and England in the ODI tri-series.
Pakistan were due to play England in the fourth match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
- Target total
- 350 runs
- Opening wins
- Sri Lanka and England
- Next match
- Fourth tri-series match against England
- Venue
- Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- Bowling roles
- Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah aim to take wickets
What people are saying
When teams are scoring more than 300 or 400 runs, we also have to think about posting totals of 350 and defending them,
Defending 300 runs is a good sign.
You have to take wickets in the middle overs.
A fast bowler is an X-factor in today’s cricket.