Sports
Haris Rauf speaks out after being left out of World Cup squad
Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has reaffirmed his commitment to improving his cricketing craft after being left out of the Twenty20 World Cup squad.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finalised its 15-member squad earlier this week for the ICC T20 World Cup, with former captain Babar Azam making the cut and Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan failing to make it.
Speaking in a special interview in Australia, the 31-year-old fast bowler stressed there was no need for him to feel disappointed if he was not selected for the premier tournament, saying it doesn’t mean the end of his career.
The right-arm fast bowler said that any player would feel regret for missing a major tournament, but added that he was focused on improving his performance.
“Of course, there is disappointment as I was not picked in the T20 World Cup squad,” he admitted. he said. “But my career won’t end. I will keep working hard and focus more on my bowling.”
The Rawalpindi-born bowler said he continued to work on his skills and believed his performances have improved since the Asia Cup.
Expressing good wishes for the national team playing the T20 World Cup, the fast bowler said he hopes the side performs strongly in the tournament.
Replying to a question regarding criticism, Rauf said there is a clear difference between constructive criticism and personal abuse. He said players are also deeply affected when Pakistan lose matches.
“When Pakistan lose, players feel the pain as well,” he said. “Criticism is fine, but disrespect is not.”
Rauf said he has always tried his level best whenever he represented Pakistan.
He also spoke about the challenges of bowling in the death overs, saying it is one of the toughest roles in modern cricket. “It is not easy to bowl in the death overs,” he said.
Rauf also praised the Pakistan Super League (PSL) that is going to enter its 11th edition this March, saying it is becoming a major league and will continue to attract more overseas players in the future.
T20 World Cup Squad
The squad features a blend of experience and emerging talent. Rising star Khawaja Nafay has earned his place, while the batting lineup will be bolstered by Salman Ali Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Shadab Khan.
The combination reflects selectors’ intent to balance proven performers with fresh energy.
In the all-round and bowling departments, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Khan have been included.
The pace attack will be spearheaded by Pakistan’s premier fast bowlers such as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, whose presence is expected to provide the team with a lethal edge in conditions favouring seam and swing.
The squad also features Usman Tariq and Salman Mirza, both of whom have impressed in domestic cricket and now have the opportunity to showcase their skills on the world stage.
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The most pressure-packed scoring opportunity in soccer might be the one where no one is defending: the penalty kick.
A goal is almost certain, so long as you keep a cool head and beat the goalkeeper. Simple enough, right?
But what exactly is a penalty kick, and how is it awarded? Here’s everything you need to know about the penalty kick ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
What Is A Penalty Kick?
A penalty kick — or “PK” — is a one-on-one duel between a field player and a goalkeeper in which the field player tries to score a direct kick from the penalty spot.
How Is A Penalty Kick Awarded?
A penalty kick is awarded when a player commits a foul — tripping, pushing or a handball — inside the penalty area, which is a large 18-yard box that extends from the goal line into the field of play. The total width of the box is 44 yards.
A penalty can be awarded in the run of play or during a Video Assistant Referee check.
Who Takes The Penalty Kick?
The designated penalty taker is usually predetermined based on a player’s proven ability to score, from the penalty spot or otherwise. For example, Harry Kane, the active leading goalscorer for England, is the designated penalty taker for the Three Lions.
How Far Is The Penalty Spot?
The penalty is 12 yards from the center of the goal line, meaning that there are just 12 yards that separate the penalty taker and the goalkeeper at the time of a penalty kick.
What Are The Rules For The Penalty Taker?
The penalty taker is given freedom to confuse the goalkeeper during their run-up to the kick so long as:
- The penalty taker doesn’t attempt a fake kick or a “feint” while attempting to strike the ball AND
- The penalty doesn’t make contact with the ball more than once during their attempt.
If a penalty taker participates in illegal feinting, they will be cautioned and an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team.
If a penalty taker makes contact with the ball more than once during their attempt and the attempt is successful, the penalty kick will be retaken. If it isn’t, it will be recorded as a miss and play will resume.
What Are The Rules For The Goalkeeper?
The goalkeeper must follow three key rules during a penalty kick: face the kicker, stay between the goalposts and keep at least one foot on or over the goal line until the kick.
If a goalkeeper leaves their line during a penalty attempt and the attempt is unsuccessful, it will be retaken. If the attempt is successful, it will result in a goal.
Additionally, goalkeepers may not touch the goalposts, crossbar or netting as an intimidation tactic. Trash-talking is also not permitted.
How Often Are Penalty Kicks Awarded?
There were 23 penalty kicks awarded at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which was six fewer than in 2018. Argentina led all countries in penalty attempts with five, and its designated penalty taker, Lionel Messi, converted all five attempts.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled ticketing information for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Qualifier between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, set to take place at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.
According to the cricket board, E-Tickets for the high-stakes fixture can be purchased from tonight, with prices for all enclosures of the aforementioned venue set at Rs500.
Furthermore, the physical tickets will be available for sale from Tuesday morning and can be bought at the TCS Express Centre at the China Ground situated opposite the venue.
The PCB further advised fans with tickets to reach the stadium “well before the start of play” to avoid any inconvenience. Notably, the coin toss for the Qualifier will take place at 6:30pm as per the Pakistan Standard Time (PST), with the first ball to be bowled at 7pm.
Meanwhile, the ticket details for the remaining two playoffs, set to be played in Lahore, will be announced in due course.
The cricket board announced the ticketing details hours after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif granted approval for public attendance in all three playoffs of the ongoing PSL 11.
Taking to X, PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi said he had a meeting with the premier, during which the cricket board secured his approval for allowing fans in the stadia for the upcoming playoffs of the eight-team tournament.
“Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well,” Naqvi wrote on the microblogging website.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled ticketing information for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Qualifier between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, set to take place at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.
According to the cricket board, E-Tickets for the high-stakes fixture can be purchased from tonight, with prices for all enclosures of the aforementioned venue set at Rs500.
Furthermore, the physical tickets will be available for sale from Tuesday morning and can be bought at the TCS Express Centre at the China Ground situated opposite the venue.
The PCB further advised fans with tickets to reach the stadium “well before the start of play” to avoid any inconvenience. Notably, the coin toss for the Qualifier will take place at 6:30pm as per the Pakistan Standard Time (PST), with the first ball to be bowled at 7pm.
Meanwhile, the ticket details for the remaining two playoffs, set to be played in Lahore, will be announced in due course.
The cricket board announced the ticketing details hours after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif granted approval for public attendance in all three playoffs of the ongoing PSL 11.
Taking to X, PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi said he had a meeting with the premier, during which the cricket board secured his approval for allowing fans in the stadia for the upcoming playoffs of the eight-team tournament.
“Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well,” Naqvi wrote on the microblogging website.
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