Pakistan want a correct fast bowler in Assessments, somebody who can bowl persistently above 140kph, and Haris Rauf is hoping to fill that void. He has turned to the President’s Trophy Grade 1 first-class event to persuade the selectors that he’s ok to earn a recall within the longest format forward of the two-match residence collection towards Sri Lanka in November.
Rauf recorded his third five-wicket haul (5 for 34 in 13 overs) in first-class cricket within the opening spherical of the President’s Trophy as he helped Pakistan Tv (PTV) make Oil & Gasoline Growth Firm Restricted (OGDCL) comply with on earlier than the match led to a draw.
“There’s at all times a objective that’s driving you if you play cricket,” Rauf stated in a video launched by his division. “I’m making an attempt to place my identify ahead for the Sri Lanka collection, and Pakistan can also be in want [of a fast bowler]. Let’s have a look at what occurs sooner or later as there are fairly a couple of video games to go [in the President’s Trophy].”
Rauf’s solely look in Check cricket was lower quick by an damage. He needed to be taken off the sphere after he rolled over the ball whereas fielding on day one of many Rawalpindi Check towards England in December 2022. He was subsequently identified with a tear in his quad muscle. He bowled solely 13 overs, conceding 78 runs for Zak Crawley’s wicket on a day when Pakistan had been correctly Bazballed – England set the file for many runs scored on the opening day of a Check after they reached 506 for 4 in 75 overs.
Rauf was faraway from the record of centrally contracted gamers by the PCB in February 2024 following disciplinary proceedings for making himself unavailable for the three-Check tour of Australia citing workload and health issues. The board additionally refused to grant him NOCs for abroad T20 leagues till June that 12 months. The PCB, nevertheless, reversed their place inside six weeks and Rauf had his contract reinstated.
However he has not been thought-about for Check cricket since. He has primarily operated as a white-ball specialist, enjoying ODIs and T20Is for Pakistan, and plying his commerce in leagues around the globe. He has performed solely 14 first-class matches since his debut within the format in October 2019 and has 47 wickets at 27.04, and none since October 2025 within the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy earlier than the most recent look.
Within the present circumstances, nevertheless, the selectors can be open to taking a punt on Rauf, particularly after they took the uncapped Razaullah as certainly one of seven replacements for the final Check towards England at Edgbaston earlier this month as some extent of distinction in an assault that operated within the 120-130kph vary.
Pakistan have toured Bangladesh, West Indies, and England in 2026 for Check collection and the typical tempo of their quick bowlers have been under that of the hosts in all three collection. It’s fairly a decline for a rustic famed for fast and progressive quick bowlers.
“I performed four-day cricket within the final season and frolicked in Grade-II cricket earlier than the [ODI] collection towards Australia as effectively,” Rauf stated. “You look to enhance your self by enjoying the longer format everytime you get time.
“I had time to work on myself proper now with the collection towards Sri Lanka and England developing so I’m seeking to avail it. That is the perfect preparation.”