The incredible rise of Haris Rauf
A Tale of Resilience and Determination
ESPN Cricinfo's recent film: ‘The Incredible Rise of Haris Rauf’ on Haris Rauf's remarkable journey has struck a chord with audiences worldwide, especially as we stand less than a week away from the grand spectacle of the ICC World Cup in India. As a devoted cricket fan, this documentary deeply resonated with me, inspiring me to reflect on the parallels between Haris Rauf's extraordinary journey and the experiences of many growing up in lower-middle-class households in Pakistan.
In a world where most sports documentaries tend to focus on the glamour of the sporting arena, this film takes a different path—it delves into something much deeper. It tells the story of a young man who rose from nothing, defying incredible odds. As I watched this documentary, I couldn't help but feel an intrinsic connection to Haris Rauf's journey—a connection that I believe resonates with countless teenagers growing up in the bustling urban centres of Punjab and Sindh. Haris Rauf's story, in many ways, mirrors the aspirations and hardships of numerous young Pakistanis, making it a narrative that resonates with so many of us.
A Glimpse into Rauf's Humble Beginnings
Throughout the documentary, Haris Rauf candidly shares insights into his humble background. We see glimpses of his former home, in the narrow streets of Rawalpindi, and watch him reminisce about playing street cricket, where avoiding oncoming scooters and bikes was just part of the game. It's a trip down memory lane for me, as I recall my childhood spent on streets like those, playing cricket with schoolmates. Our makeshift wickets were often gaps between two bricks lying side by side, as buying proper cricket gear was a luxury beyond our means. One individual had a bat, and the rest of us eagerly waited for our turn to play with it. The cricket ball would frequently end up in neighbouring houses, much to the disappointment of elderly residents who would curse us and, on occasion, refuse to return our precious ball, leading to abandoned games—a common occurrence that Star Sports recently picked in a commercial starring Virat Kohli called 'Let Kids Play.' This resonates with the subcontinent's cricket-loving communities, where such experiences are part of our shared childhood memories.
Haris Rauf's early struggles are a reflection of the challenges routinely faced by lower-middle-class families in Pakistan, particularly in the urban areas of Punjab and Sindh. His family's modest home in Rawalpindi was a microcosm of the broader societal issue—a lack of space for expanding families in lower-income households. The tradition of joint families and limited resources meant that families often struggled to accommodate their growing numbers, much like Haris's family.
The Burden of Expectations
In the face of adversity, Haris had unique obstacles to overcome. His father, a welder at the (PWD) Pakistan Welding Department, barely made ends meet while supporting a family of nine. Like many Pakistani parents, Haris's father didn't believe that a career in professional sports was a viable path for his children. Instead, the focus was on education to secure a job that offered better prospects than blue-collar work. Haris's father's concerns about his son's studies led to regular beatings, sometimes multiple times a day, as Haris recalls in the file. This situation is all too common in the subcontinent, where young athletes' potential often goes unrealized due to societal expectations.
Haris, as the eldest son, had no choice but to seek employment to pay for his tuition—a familiar scenario in Pakistani households. He took weekend jobs as a salesman in the local bazaar, selling Nimco, a beloved Pakistani delicacy, to make ends meet. However, this income alone couldn't cover his expenses when he moved on to university to pursue an IT degree.
The Tape Ball Cricket Phenomenon
It was during this period that Haris secretly continued his passion for cricket, playing tape-ball cricket—a format widely popular in Pakistan, particularly due to its lower cost compared to traditional cricket. The tape-ball cricket circuit in Pakistan is extensive, often more lucrative and organized than local club cricket. It boasts a passionate fan following and garners commercial success, with local businessmen sponsoring tournaments in small villages. These sponsorships extend to inter-village tournaments, ‘Mohallah’ (town) teams, and competitions between cities and districts as the level of tournaments grows. The best tape-ball players become local celebrities, and their popularity comes with perks, including transportation to matches. This format offers significant financial rewards for outstanding performers at the inter-city level, thanks to its widespread appeal and commercial viability.
Haris Rauf possessed the speed, accuracy, and aggression required to thrive in the tape-ball cricket arena. His ascent enabled him to support his university education, a considerable expense in Pakistan's private universities, all while keeping his cricketing endeavours hidden from his father. Under the alias 'Haris Islamabad,' his reputation grew, especially in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The Belief in 'Sifarish' Culture in Pakistan Cricket
Haris Rauf's parents’ reluctance to allow him to pursue cricket was due to their scepticism about his chances of success. It wasn't his abilities in question but rather the prevailing belief that connections or "Sifarish" were essential for breaking into the world of cricket. Haris himself shared this belief, which discouraged him from applying for trials or engaging in club cricket with a hard cricket ball. As Haris Rauf candidly admitted in an interview with Cricinfo in 2019, "I had never given any trials ever before this." He had little faith in the fairness of the selection process, and he believed that he wouldn't be chosen. His scepticism was so strong that he missed the Lahore Qalandars' trial near his home in Rawalpindi due to a tape-ball match in Attock. Hassan Cheema, (the current manager of analytics and team strategy for the Pakistan national team), narrated a story in a recent Twitter Space that he once approached Haris Rauf for Islamabad United trials (which didn’t happen), but Haris declined the offer saying he is happy in tape ball circuit, which endorses his views on Sifarish culture.
A Chance Encounter
However, fate had other plans. Haris was eventually convinced by his tape-ball cricket friends to participate in open trials held by Lahore Qalandars in Gujranwala, a four-and-a-half-hour journey from Rawalpindi. They arrived late, only to be denied entry as the stadium was already at capacity. They managed to sneak in, mingling with the thousands of boys who were waiting for their turn in the nets.
Lahore Qalandars' trials were part of a Player Development Program initiated in 2016. These trials welcomed boys of all ages and backgrounds, even those who arrived barefoot or in traditional shalwar kameez attire. Everyone had an equal opportunity to bat and bowl, with scouts meticulously assessing participants each day. These trials offered a lifeline to countless aspiring cricketers in a country where cricket is not just a sport but a passion. The official body, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the Pakistan Sports Ministry often presented bureaucratic hurdles and corruption, leaving aspiring talents with limited avenues. To put it into perspective, half a million hopefuls attended these trials, with 145,000 being bowlers. Haris Rauf emerged as one of the finalists.
As Haris recounts, the trials began as a casual outing, a bit of fun among friends. However, as they started competing to outpace each other, One of his friends bowled at around 87 or 88 mph, and Haris was determined to push his limits. He unleashed a delivery clocking in at 92.3 mph, a feat that immediately grabbed Aaqib Javed's attention, leading to Haris's selection. Sometimes, it takes just one remarkable moment to change a life.
Aaqib Javed, reflecting on the selection process, remarked, "The process was stringent enough to catch the good ones. We weren't looking for ready-made players. We wanted players to show potential, and we would invest in them. Rauf had pace, and bowling at 92.3 mph isn't a joke."
Lahore Qalandars Player Development Program (PDP)
Rauf received a contract and joined the Lahore Qalandars franchise for further development. Standing at 5'11" and weighing 71kg, Haris needed to build serious muscle to endure the pace he could generate. Lahore Qalandars set him on a strict training and nutrition regimen, with Aaqib Javed personally overseeing his development. Javed remarked in the film, "I have never met as hard-working and disciplined a cricketer in my life when it comes to diet and training."
He was even sent to Australia as part of the program to gain experience in competitive cricket, playing for the Hawkesbury Cricket Club. His T20 debut for Qalandars against the Hobart Hurricanes in 2018 marked the beginning of a promising journey, as he picked up wickets and played a pivotal role in Qalandars' victory over the Titans in the final of that tournament.
Bowling to ‘Virat Kohli’ and learning the Power of Focus and Discipline
A twist of fate would bring Rauf face-to-face with some of the cricketing world's biggest stars. During India's tour of Australia, Haris Rauf was called in to bowl during the Indian team's practice session in Sydney before the fourth Test. This was a surreal moment for him, as he bowled to international superstars like Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul, and it was here that he first crossed paths with Virat Kohli. Recalling the experience, Rauf shared, "When I was a net bowler for the Indian team and was bowling to Virat Kohli, I felt like he knew exactly where the ball was going to hit his bat. He was very focused, and that showed how sharp his concentration was." This encounter taught Haris Rauf the power of focus and discipline.
Despite being a competitive cricketer, Haris Rauf holds immense admiration for Virat Kohli, much like many of us in Pakistan. He publicly praised Kohli in an interview with Mazher Arshad, saying, "Virat has a different class, and no other player would have been able to hit those sixes." This came after Kohli's spectacular performance in a World T20 match against Haris Rauf, which included two game-changing sixes in the 19th over.
Big Bash, PSL trophy and Pakistan Debut
Haris Rauf made his Pakistan Super League (PSL) debut in the 2018-19 season, where he impressed with 11 wickets in 10 matches and an economy rate of 7.41. The same year, he hit the jackpot when he secured a Big Bash League (BBL) contract, replacing the legendary Dale Steyn. Rauf's performances in the BBL garnered more headlines than even his hero, Steyn. His remarkable journey earned him a call-up to the national team, and there was no looking back. He played a pivotal role in Lahore Qalandar's historic tournament win in 2022 and continued to shine in 2023, a testament to the success of their player development program. The documentary captures Haris Rauf's emotional moment, shedding tears of joy after winning the PSL final, a culmination of the relentless hard work he had invested over the years.
Today, Haris Rauf stands as a global cricketing superstar, a name that cannot be omitted from Pakistan's white-ball cricket squad. His journey from obscurity to international acclaim serves as a testament to the potential of hard work and dedication, inspiring countless aspiring cricketers worldwide.
Conclusion
Haris Rauf's story holds a valuable lesson for families in Pakistan and beyond—to support their children's dreams and nurture their talents. Haris's father, once sceptical, now offers tips on fast bowling, and the documentary movingly captures a moment where Haris describes his father’s disbelief and tears when sitting in Haris’s luxury car for the first time —a symbol of his son's incredible success.
Haris Rauf's story is an inspiration to aspiring cricketers around the world and particularly to the teenage boys in Pakistan. From the streets of Rawalpindi to the international stage, he has demonstrated that hard work can overcome even the toughest odds. While Haris's journey bears striking similarities to that of an average Pakistani teenager, the difference lies in the relentless hard work and discipline once he got a chance —a complete transformation that propelled him from tape-ball cricket to the realm of hard cricket balls. In Haris's own words, he had glimpsed the glory, and he was not going to back down.