Haris Rauf's Kite-Flying Video Ignites Social Media Storm Following World Cup Snub
A video featuring Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has gone viral across social media platforms, capturing him in a relaxed moment flying kites alongside teammate Hasan Ali. The clip emerged shortly after Rauf's notable omission from Pakistan's 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, quickly drawing a wave of reactions from cricket fans and critics alike.
Online Backlash and Selection Controversy
Rauf faced significant trolling online as the video circulated, with many users questioning his absence from the national team. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a squad that included star batsman Babar Azam but excluded both Rauf and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, fueling further debate over the selection decisions.
Addressing the controversy, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson provided insight into the selection process. "We considered Haris Rauf, Wasim Jr, and Ahmed Daniyal, but they couldn't make it because the other three – Shaheen, Salman, and Naseem – can bowl in all three phases of the game," Hesson explained, emphasizing the versatility of the chosen pace attack as a key factor.
Pakistan's T20 World Cup Campaign and Squad Details
Pakistan kicked off their T20 World Cup 2026 journey with a narrow three-wicket victory over the Netherlands in Colombo. Chasing a target of 148, the Salman Agha-led side nearly suffered an upset before a fielding error gave Faheem Ashraf a crucial lifeline, allowing him to steer Pakistan to victory with just three balls remaining.
Looking ahead, Pakistan is set to face the USA on Tuesday at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, aiming to build momentum after their hard-fought opening win. The full squad for the tournament includes:
- Salman Ali Agha (Captain)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Babar Azam
- Faheem Ashraf
- Fakhar Zaman
- Khawaja Nafay (Wicketkeeper)
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Salman Mirza
- Naseem Shah
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Saim Ayub
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Shadab Khan
- Usman Khan (Wicketkeeper)
- Usman Tariq
As the tournament progresses, fans are closely monitoring updates, including the full schedule, live scores, points table, and key statistics such as top run-scorers and wicket-takers. The incident with Rauf highlights the intense scrutiny and emotional investment surrounding Pakistan cricket, blending on-field performance with off-field narratives in the digital age.
