Reports: Haris Rauf’s central contract likely to be restored after fast bowler’s appeal

Haris Rauf (Photo Source: Twitter)

Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf’s central contract was terminated two days ahead of the ongoing Pakistan Super League 2024 as he withdrew from the three-match Test series against Australia in December-January to play in Big Bash League 2023-24. However, in a major development, Rauf’s contract might get restored after the cricketer appealed against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB’s) decision.

According to reports, PCB’s legal team is reviewing his appeal and there are high chances of his contract getting restored. Notably, Rauf’s contract was terminated effective from December 1, 2023, following a hearing process by a PCB committee.

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“There are chances that the appeal might be accepted, and his contract restored,” a PCB source was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Along with terminating the fast bowler’s contract, the PCB also prohibited him from obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in overseas T20 leagues until June 30, 2024. The 30-year-old was recently ruled out of the PSL 2024 after he dislocated his shoulder during the third match of Lahore Qalandars.

Meanwhile, the source further revealed that Rauf submitted his appeal through his lawyer highlighting the reasons which didn’t let him play in the Test series against Australia.

After skipping the Australia series, Rauf played the five-match T20I series against New Zealand where he didn’t have a great outing. The speedster leaked 161 runs in 15.1 overs bowled across four matches at an economy of 10.61 and picked seven wickets at an average of 23.

Qalandars owner Sameen Rana lambasts PCB

In another major development, PCB is reportedly not happy with the comments made by Qalandars’ owner Sameen Rana who lashed out at the cricket board for subjecting Rauf to public humiliation.

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“Rauf’s our premier bowler, our highest wicket-taker after Shaheen Afridi. To publicly humiliate him and issue a press release announcing the termination of his central contract, I have never seen this happen anywhere,” Rana had said in the interview.

“I would never treat my employees like that. The employee at least has the right for you to call, email or message them. None of that happened with Rauf, and it was pathetic. It was really poor management,” Rana had added.