Haris Rauf in hot water as team director Mohammad Hafeez lays out new policy after pacer opts franchise cricket over national duty

Rauf claimed he told Riaz that as he had not played much red-ball cricket, he wanted to work on his fitness and on his white-ball game.

Haris Rauf in hot water as team director Mohammad Hafeez lays out new policy after pacer opts franchise cricket over national duty

Haris Rauf (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

Pakistani cricket’s team director Mohammad Hafeez‘s new policy prioritizes international cricket over T20 franchise leagues after pacer Haris Rauf opted out of playing the Test series in Australia to take part in the Big Bash League (BBL). Rauf was first criticized by chief selector Wahab Riaz after he decided to play for the Melbourne Stars.

Riaz accused Rauf of changing his mind, saying a couple of days ago, the pacer agreed to play the Test series but changed his mind. The chief selector said Rauf was worried about his body and fitness as well as his workload.

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However, Rauf, as per ESPNcricinfo, never intended to play the Australia Test series and even confirmed he wouldn’t be available. Rauf claimed he told Riaz that as he had not played much red-ball cricket, he wanted to work on his fitness and on his white-ball game.

Haris Rauf went to the chief selector [Wahab Riaz] one evening and I think committed to Test cricket.
Hafeez told ESPNcricinfo.
Then, for some reason, he didn't want to play. When we saw reports from the physio, Haris had no issues stopping him from playing Test cricket. So the thinking that someone doesn't want to play Tests, or is being forced to, is wrong.

Haris Rauf likely to miss BBL after delay in NOC by PCB

Haris Rauf mostly plays white-ball cricket for the Men in Green. He has played just one Test match for Pakistan and only nine first-class matches. That lone Test match was against England last year, but he did not complete his over.

Haris Rauf
Haris Rauf (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

In the BBL for Melbourne Stars, Rauf picked up 30 wickets in 18 matches with an economy of 7.71. However, his NOC is likely to be delayed by the PCB due to the National T20 Cup in Pakistan.

PCB may delay clearing the NOC till December 11 as the National T20 Cup runs till December 10. The BBL will start on December 7 and will end on January 24.

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