Pakistan chief selector Wahab Riaz has criticised fast bowler Haris Rauf for “backing out” of the upcoming Test tour of Australia.
Pakistan have announced the 18-man squad for their Test tour to Australia starting December 14. The team includes as many as seven sea bowlers, including Shaheen Afridi and others. However, one of his names not included in this list is Haris Rauf.
Rauf, who recently featured in Pakistan’s ignominious 2023 World Cup campaign, picking up 16 wickets from nine matches, has only played one Test match for Pakistan, a match against England in Rawalpindi. In the match, he retired with 1 win and 78 losses in 13 overs.
Although he did not have much first-class experience, he was included in the plans for the Test tour to Australia in view of injuries to fast-playing stars such as Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain and Ihsanullah.
Haris Rauf backs out after agreeing to play Tests vs Australia
However, Pakistan’s new chief selector Wahab said in a press conference today (November 20) that Rauf had initially agreed to take part in the Test series, but citing workload and fitness issues. He announced his resignation at the last minute.
“We discussed this tour with Haris Rauf. When we spoke to him two days ago, he agreed to play Test cricket for Pakistan. But last night he felt uneasy. I changed my mind and decided I don’t want to be part of this Australian Test series,” Wahab said.
Wahab said he was worried about Rauf’s recovery after the long World Cup season.
“I spoke to Haris (Rauf) yesterday and he was concerned about fitness and work issues. So Mohammad Hafeez, the team director, and I sat down with him and worked as hard as we could. I tried to support him in every possible way. Even if he failed in the tour, I was ready to accept it as chief selector,” Wahab said.
Pakistan’s chief selector said Rauf’s fitness was consulted with the team’s physiotherapist and the green light was given. “We spoke to a physical therapist about his health and he (Rauch) said that he will not have any health problems in the future.
“Obviously he’s tired because he’s played a lot of cricket, but we could have done really well.” However, he withdrew at the last minute and was unable to play on this tour. However, I think it will cause great damage to Pakistan. “
Chief selector Wahab Riaz criticises Rauf
Wahab elaborated on the plan to use Rauf for the test tour, saying that the team intends to use Rauf in the short term.
“What we discussed with the coach and captain was that Haris Rauf is an impact bowler and we would like to use him in Test cricket.” We did not ask him to do more than 10-12 overs a day. He did it in his ODIs too. ”
Rauf’s withdrawal infuriated Wahab, who said it was his responsibility to play for Pakistan as a contracted player and make sacrifices if necessary, adding, “The only question is, can you play for Pakistan?” “And especially now,” he said. If all three Test fast bowlers who can make an impact and bowl over 140 balls are not fit, they should try to make sacrifices and play for Pakistan instead of giving up.
“When it comes to professionalism, we have to think about what is best for Pakistan.” Harris (Rauf) was not in the squad for the Test series after the England Test, but if we I felt that we needed him, so if you are in the best interest of Pakistan, centrally contracted player, it is your duty to serve Pakistan. ”
The three-Test series begins on December 14 with the first match in Perth, followed by two matches in Melbourne and Sydney.
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