Due to his withdrawal from the three-match Test series against Australia in December and January to play for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League 2023–24, Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf’s central contract was terminated on February 15, two days before the start of the Pakistan Super League 2024. Rauf’s contract could be renewed, nevertheless, in a significant step following his appeal against the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) position.
His appeal is reportedly being examined by PCB’s legal team, and there is a good likelihood that his contract will be renewed.
Following hearings held by a PCB committee, Haris Rauf’s contract was terminated with effect from December 1, 2023.
According to a PCB source cited by the Hindustan Times, “there are chances that the appeal might be accepted and his contract restored.”
The PCB terminated the fast bowler’s contract, and from June 30, 2024, he was not eligible to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to compete in international T20 tournaments. The 30-year-old injured his shoulder during Lahore Qalandars’ third-round encounter against Karachi Kings on February 24, and as a result, he was ruled out of the PSL 2024.
The person with knowledge of the matter also said that Rauf appealed via his legal representative, referencing the provisions that prevented him from playing in the Australia Test series.
Rauf took part in the five-match Twenty20 International Series against New Zealand but struggled on the field following his absence from the Australia series. Across four matches, the speedster bowled at an economy rate of 10.61 and let in 161 runs in 15.1 overs while taking seven wickets at an average of 23.
Sameen Rana, owner of Qalandars, criticizes PCB
Another noteworthy event is that Sameen Rana, the owner of Qalandars, reportedly expressed displeasure with PCB over the cricket board’s actions in publicly criticising Rauf.
“After Shaheen Afridi, Raub is our best bowler and our top wicket-taker. In the interview, Rana stated, “I have never seen this happen anywhere—to publicly humiliate him and issue a press release announcing the termination of his central contract.”
“I would never give my workers that kind of treatment. The worker has the minimum right to receive calls, emails, or messages from you. It was pitiful that none of that occurred with Rauf. It was incredibly badly managed,” Rana continued.
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