'Melbourne is my home ground' - Haris Rauf issues warning to Team India ahead of T20 WC clash

The in-form Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf is looking forward to using his experience of playing at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the upcoming 2022 T20 World Cup next month. Pakistan will clash against arch-rivals India in their opening World Cup clash at MCG on October 23. The speedster has been part of Big Bash League giants Melbourne Starts from the 2019-20 season and has performed exceptionally so far. Rauf stated that his experience at MCG will help him tackle Indian batters in Australia.

On Wednesday, Pakistan took a 3-2 lead in the ongoing seven-match T20I series against England at home. Rauf continued his excellent form against England with eight wickets in five matches, including two in the latest fixture. After a nail-biting win in the fifth match, Rauf stated he has already prepared himself for how he will be bowling against Indian batters at MCG.

"If I give my best, they won't be able to play me easily. For the upcoming World Cup match, I'm very happy because it is at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It is my home ground because I play for the Melbourne Stars, and I have an idea of how the conditions play out there. I've already started planning on how I would bowl against India," Haris Rauf said after fifth T20I match against England.

Indo-Pak games are always high-pressure: Haris Rauf

The 28-year-old pacer took eight wickets, including one against India, in the 2021 T20 World Cup. He was excellent in the recently concluded 2022 Asia Cup with eight wickets in six matches. But he has struggled to perform against Indian batters lately. Rauf took only one wicket in two matches against India at Asia Cup and conceded runs at a poor economy rate of 8.75 and 9.50 in the two games. Rauf revealed that he was under pressure to perform against India in the last year's World Cup but felt very little pressure in the Asia Cup matches.