Pakistan Pacer Haris Rauf's Central Contract May Be Restored

Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf's central contract was terminated ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 due to his refusal to take part in the Australia Test series. Rauf has appealed for a restoration, which is under review by the Pakistan Cricket Board's legal team

PTI

Updated on: 4 March 2024 6:43 pm

Pakistan Pacer Haris Rauf included in the home T20I series against New Zealand despite termination of central contract Photo: Haris Rauf/X

Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf's central contract may be "restored" after a review by the legal team of the country's Board, an official source in the PCB said on Monday. (More Cricket News)

Rauf's central contract was terminated two days before the start of the Pakistan Super League for refusing to play in the three-Test series against Australia that they lost 0-3 in January.

An official source in the PCB said the legal team was reviewing Rauf's appeal which seeks the restoration of his central contract.

"There are chances that the appeal might be accepted, and his contract restored,” the source said.

Rauf is currently ruled out of the PSL with a dislocated shoulder. He sustained the injury during the third match of the PSL while playing for Lahore Qalandars.

Lahore Qalandars' Haris Rauf fielding in Pakistan Super League 2024. - Photo Courtesy: X/ @lahoreqalandars

Pakistan Super League 2024: Haris Rauf Ruled Out Of Entire Tournament Due To Shoulder Injury

BY PTI

After opting out of the Test series in Australia, Rauf went to play in the Big Bash around the same time.

But the PCB still included him for the five-match T20I series in New Zealand as the pacer last played for his country in the fourth match of the series in Christchurch.

The board, while taking action, also suspended the issuance of NOCs to Haris for foreign leagues until June this year.

The source said Haris had submitted his appeal through his lawyer and given a complete statement, outlining his version of events that didn’t allow him to play in the Tests in Australia.

The PCB however is not happy with the comments made by one of Rauf's PSL franchise owners Sameen Rana, according to the source.

Rana in an interview with a leading cricket website blasted the board for taking action against Rauf and said the timing of that announcement was unnecessary.

"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.