Haris Rauf admits he was humbled by the rapturous ovation he received from the Headingley faithful after taking his maiden first-class five-wicket haul on day two against Kent.
The Pakistan fast bowler added two morning wickets to finish with a fabulous 5-65 as Kent slipped from an overnight 270-6 to 291 all out in their first innings.
Rauf then watched centurions Dawid Malan and his Lahore Qalandars team-mate Harry Brook share a record 269 for the fourth wicket to leave the hosts at 326-5 at close and in charge.
“It was a very exciting moment for me when I took the five wickets and the crowd were cheering. I was very happy to see this,” said Rauf, the exuberant Pakistan limited overs international who is only playing his seventh first-class game.
Rauf, with Yorkshire until June 3, is loving his first taste of county cricket.
“This is a different environment, but they are helping me,” he said of his new Yorkshire team-mates.
“The skipper is asking me how I am feeling all of the time.
“Harry Brook has also played with me in PSL (Pakistan Super League), and Dawid I have met before in international matches.
“Everyone has been good to me, and I am enjoying it.
“County cricket is very hard, but I am trying my best for the team and to improve my skills.
“I want to learn. I have been told that if you come to county cricket, you will improve your bowling and it will help you a lot in international cricket.
“I have done a lot of bowling in the last two weeks, but it is good for me.”
On the game situation, the 28-year-old said: “We had a plan to take the early wickets in the morning, and Dawid and Harry have put on a very good partnership. If we can set a good lead, we can get back to the bowling.”
And, with a smile, when asked about his ability to regularly clock 90mph plus, he added: “I bowl fast, but it’s cold out there. Let’s see. If the weather changes, maybe I will get faster!”
