A video of Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf slapping a teammate during a Pakistan Super League match has gone viral on social media. In the viral video, Rauf could be seen slapping Lahore Qalandars teammate Kamran Ghulam after he dropped a catch off the former’s bowling. The video has caused outrage amongst fans, who are demanding strict action against Rauf.
Ghulam had dropped the catch of Peshawar Zalmi’s Hazratullah Zazai leaving Rauf incensed. Three balls later, Rauf dismissed Mohammad Haris prompting his teammates to rush to him to congratulate him. Also joining the party was Ghulam, who rushed towards Rauf only to be slapped by the bowler.
As the match progressed, Ghulam was involved in a brilliant run out of Wahab Riaz of Peshawar Zalmi. This was here when Rauf decided to redeem himself as he went to congratulate Ghulam by hugging him.
Although Rauf was lucky to not face a fine and was only given a warning by the match referee, he faced netizens’ wrath for his ‘disgraceful’ action.
Haris Rauf hitting Kamran felt very distasteful. I get they are friends, but there must be a limit to aggression.
— fajar (@girlnamedfudger) February 21, 2022
What's the matter?
Haris Rauf looks serious pic.twitter.com/dmoPG6MHLP
— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) February 21, 2022
Love the way Haris Rauf hugged Kamran Ghulam after that incident <3pic.twitter.com/slxQ3XoFgb
— KH SAKIB ???????? (@Crickettalkss) February 21, 2022
Disgraceful!
Kamran Ghulam was still smiling. Feeling sad for him. Haris Rauf needs to get his acts right.
Wait for story actually what happened. #PZvsLQ #PSL2022 #HarisRauf #kamranghulam pic.twitter.com/FLMBnox1MY— Malik Nazim (@MalikNa19989171) February 21, 2022
Haris rauf slapping kamran Ghulam for not taking catch on his bowling:#PZvsLQ pic.twitter.com/Nom4PDjx8H
— Waleed Gujjar #UnitedWeWin (@wa4025) February 21, 2022
Many supporters of Rauf later tried to defend the cricketer by claiming that the fast bowler had not slapped the teammate calling it a friendly banter. But this did not go down well with a large group of cricket fans, who demanded strict action the bowler.