The fast bowler’s central contract is terminated by the national cricket organization after he declined to participate in the Australia Test series.
Fast bowler Haris Rauf’s core contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been terminated because he declined to go with the Test team during Australia’s trip, which also happened to be his time playing in the Big Bash League (BBL).
The PCB announced in a statement on Thursday that “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.”
“On January 30, 2024, the PCB management gave Haris the opportunity for a personal hearing in accordance with the principles of natural justice, and his response was considered insufficient.”
The 30-year-old, who spent three Test series against Australia between December 14 and January 7, did not go with the Pakistani side. He was a player for the Melbourne Stars in the franchise league.
After a long dispute with PCB over Rauf’s refusal, the board agreed to let him play a limited role in the BBL before he was called up to the national team for a five-match T20 series against New Zealand in January.
Rauf has only participated in one Test match for Pakistan; he has chosen to focus on playing limited-over cricket. He has also participated in T20 franchise competitions in the US and Bangladesh.
According to the PCB, it is a major breach of the central contract to refuse to be a member of Pakistan’s test squad in the absence of a medical report or a valid explanation.
In the lead-up to the 2024 T20 World Cup, Rauf was a crucial member of the Pakistan squad that competed in the Cricket World Cup in 2023. He was also chosen for the New Zealand T20 series.
Pakistan will next play a four-game Twenty20 series against England in May before starting their World Cup campaign on June 6 against the co-host nation, the United States.
