Ex Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi says Haris Rauf should be playing in test against Australia instead of Big Bash League
While Haris Rauf fires rockets in the Big Bash League, a familiar roar echoes from Down Under: “He should be bowling here!” Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s cricketing lion of yore, has ignited a debate by questioning Rauf’s decision to prioritize the BBL over Pakistan’s ongoing Test series against Australia.
Rauf, a white-ball specialist with limited red-ball experience, shocked many by declining a Test call-up. The lure of BBL’s glittering payday, particularly for Pakistanis barred from the lucrative IPL, proved too tempting. After a tug-of-war with the board, Rauf secured permission for a limited BBL stint, leaving Afridi perplexed.
“I think Haris should be part of this side instead, rather than (the BBL),” Afridi thundered from the Melbourne Test sidelines. “In these conditions, the kind of pace he has, he would have performed well and enjoyed himself on the kinds of pitches Australia prepared in Perth and here.”
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Haris Rauf’s decision to prioritize the Big Bash League over Test duty in Australia sparked controversy, drawing criticism from Chief Selector Wahab Riaz. Citing a need for rest after a disappointing World Cup, Rauf’s absence left a notable void in Pakistan’s pace attack.
This void became starkly evident in Perth, where the fast and bouncy conditions seemed tailor-made for speedsters like Rauf. Pakistan’s bowlers lacked the raw pace and bite needed to penetrate the Australian batting lineup, ultimately succumbing by a massive 360 runs. In hindsight, Rauf’s absence appeared to be a crucial factor in the demoralizing defeat.
But what a difference a Test makes! In Melbourne, a revitalized Pakistan turned the tide on the series. Their bowling unit, without Rauf, found rhythm and venom, dismantling the Australian batting machine at the MCG.
As of now, they require just under 100 runs for victory, holding five crucial wickets in hand. The comeback performance stands as a testament to the depth and resilience of Pakistan’s bowling arsenal.
Whether or not Rauf would have altered the outcome in Perth remains a hypothetical question, but one thing is clear: Pakistan’s bowlers have proven their mettle without him, putting the team within striking distance of a historic victory in Australian soil.
However, Afridi’s words carry weight. Pakistan’s bowling attack, though valiant, lacks raw pace, an element Rauf embodies. His absence raises questions about priorities and a missed opportunity to test his red-ball mettle on ideal pitches.
The debate is open. Should Rauf’s financial choices trump national duty? Can he excel in Tests with limited experience? While Rauf tears through BBL wickets, the echoes of “Australia awaits!” will haunt him, fueled by the fiery words of a Pakistani legend.
