New Delhi. Pakistan’s fast bowler Haris Rauf has refused to play the 3-match Test series in Australia next month. Now news is coming that he may be shifted to a lower grade in the central contract. Besides, there may be difficulty in getting permission to play in the T20 Big Bash League to be held in Australia. According to the information, senior officials of Pakistan Cricket Board are unhappy with the attitude of Haris. He is also unhappy with Lahore Qalandars coach Aaqib Javed, who has supported Rauf. Rauf’s performance in the World Cup 2023 was not anything special. On this, former veteran bowler Wasim Akram had said that Rauf should play first class cricket, only then he will be able to prepare himself well for ODIs.
Pakistan’s new chief selector Wahab Riaz on Monday took Haris to task and said that I and Pakistan team director Mohammad Hafeez talked. He was told that both the captain and the coach wanted him to play in Australia. We also assured him that he would not have to bowl more than 10-12 overs in a day. He said that we also talked to the team physio and trainer and they told that Hafeez does not have any fitness problem. He will have no problem in Australia.
The contract may be reviewed
A source told news agency PTI that there is a discussion that if Haris Rauf’s focus is only on white ball cricket, then the central contract given to him will be reviewed as he is in B category. He also gets Rs 40 lakh per month, match fees, bonus and PCB’s share in ICC revenue. He said that players in the top-2 category of the contract have to play all formats. If he does not play, his NOC to play Big Bash League can also be stopped.
30 year old fast bowler Haris Rauf has played only one Test in his career so far and has taken one wicket. In December 2022, he got injured after bowling only 13 overs in the Test against England. Rauf has taken 69 wickets in 37 ODIs and 83 wickets in 62 T20 Internationals.
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Tags: Australia, Harris Rauf, Pcb
FIRST PUBLISHED: November 22, 2023, 18:23 IST