BBL: Pakistani Bowler Haris Rauf's "Slit-Throat" Celebration Draws Flak On Twitter

The new season of Australia's T20 tournament Big Bash League is underway and the uncapped Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf is turning out to be quite a revelation with his 10 wickets from three matches, so far. However, the 26-year-old, whose action reminds Mark Waugh of Jasprit Bumrah, has been drawing a lot of flak for his "slit-throat" celebration after taking wickets. Brought in to the Melbourne Stars' squad as a late fill-in for Dale Steyn, Haris Rauf celebrated his wickets against the Sydney Thunder with a gesture that is being labelled as "inappropriate" by social media users. 

Watch the celebration here

This stump cam footage is BRUTAL! #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/0LzeLrqYTa

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 2, 2020

After dismissing Daniel Sams, the bowler celebrated with a gesture of slitting his throat. 

Former Australian rugby league player Darryl Brohman was among those who condemned the celebration. "Not sure we need the throat cutting gesture from Harris Rauf everytime he takes a wicket. Clearly a very good bowler but the post wicket antics are over the top," he tweeted.

Not sure we need the throat cutting gesture from Harris Rauf everytime he takes a wicket. Clearly a very good bowler but the post wicket antics are over the top. Who's with me?

— Darryl Brohman (@therealbigmarn) January 2, 2020

While a fan from Pakistan tweeted, "Throat-slashing celebration should have no place in a cricket ground."

The celebration did not go well with most fans on Twitter and here are some strong reactions.

Should be finding a new celebration

— B R A D (@bradfogarty95) January 2, 2020

Fines for the death threat celebration - cheers

— Boofa ?? yeehaw (@Lockki99) January 2, 2020

Hope he gets fined for his celebrations

— Kirsty Garrard (@kirstm_au) January 2, 2020

Yeah, that celebration isn't appropriate. I thought the BBL was "family friendly"??

— Megan Borg (@102megan) January 2, 2020

How is that slashing of the neck appropriate ?

— Laurinda Ottaway (@LaurindaRenee) January 2, 2020

Not so sure the slitting of the throat celebration fits in with Australian culture....

— Grant Martin (@olschooloswaldo) January 2, 2020

Um, throat-slitting celebration gesture?? Really?? #wtf #BBL09

— Sunil Daniel (@sunildaniel03) January 2, 2020

As far as the match is concerned, Haris Rauf put together a compelling case for re-selection by grabbing the scalps of Callum Ferguson, Alex Ross and Daniel Sams.

Rauf finished with 3/24 with another stump-smashing game in the ongoing tournament.

The three-wicket win on Thursday helped Melbourne Stars to go top of the BBL table.

Topics mentioned in this article

Cricket Pakistan Cricket Team