The Pakistan Cricket Board has terminated the central contract of fast bowler Haris Rauf after he refused to join the Test team for the tour of Australia, which coincided with his stint in the Big Bash League.
Rauf, who played for Melbourne Stars in the BBL, did not join the Pakistan team for the three-match Test series against Australia between December 14 and January 7.
“Haris’ central contract has been terminated from December 1, 2023 and no NOC (No objection certificate) to play any foreign league will be granted up to June 30, 2024,” the PCB said in a statement on Thursday.
“The PCB management provided a chance for a personal hearing to Haris in compliance with the principles of natural justice on 30 January 2024 and his response was found unsatisfactory.”
The 30-year-old’s refusal had caused a stand-off with PCB which ended when the board granted him permission to make a limited appearance in the BBL before joining the national squad for a five-match T20 series against New Zealand in January.
Rauf has played only one Test match for Pakistan, focusing his career on limited-over cricket. He has also played in T20 franchise leagues in Bangladesh and the US.
“Refusal to be part of Pakistan’s Test squad in the absence of any medical report or justifiable reason is a material violation of the central contract,” the PCB added.
Linphoma
Roar Rookie
Let's face it. This is Pakistan we're talking about where the dysfunctional is the Situation Normal state of affairs. The administration is politically managed, not that the situation is much different across the sub-continent, but the Pakistani situation is most peculiarly tenuous when their assets are boycotted by the 500 pound gorilla across the border. Haris Rauf is a product of the dysfunction.
Tempo
Roar Rookie
The whole story reeks of poor player management. Professional set-ups will have management constantly talking with players so they are on the same page regarding availability for formats, overseas leagues etc. The instability and outdated culture at the PCB does not lend itself to those conversations taking place (never mind that even if they did, 5 minutes later you have a new Chairman, senior management, selection committee and coaching staff). If Rauf was important to their plans in Australia, that should have been discussed with him months prior to the tour and preparations made to get his body ready - not when the team was already selected. Same goes for the bizarre story of Mohammad Haris turning up in Bangladesh, training with his BPL team for a few days then flying back because his NOC was declined. How was that not determined before he got on a plane? In any event it seems like the PCB are still trying to keep Rauf a little onside as the NOC suspension is only until June this year so it probably isn't going to affect his participation in any leagues (there is just the PSL which he doesn't need an NOC for and the IPL which he can't play in anyway).
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Rauf literally struggles to bowl in ODI cricket without breaking down. How do the PCB expect him to suddenly play Test cricket? He's played less than 10 FC matches in his career for a reason. No one in PCB supported him when he was at a Lahore Qalandar's camp where Aqib Javed scouted him. It was the BBL that probably made the Pakistan selectors realise they've got a good bowler. Sure terminate his contract but to stop NOC's is going to become messy situation. Players shouldn't be punished for the lifestyle they want in cricket