Why did Haris Rauf refuse to play the Australia Test?
Pakistan Chief Selector Wahab Riaz on Monday revealed that pacer Haris Rauf won’t be available for the upcoming Test series against Australia.
While speaking during a press conference in Lahore, Riaz said that Rauf was ready to feature in the Australia series but he changed his mind last night.
“We spoke to Haris Rauf about this tour two days ago, and he gave his consent to playing Tests for Pakistan. However, he changed his mind last night and didn’t want to be a part of this Australia Test series,” Riaz said.
“He was worried about fitness issues and workload. We gave him assurances that we will facilitate him and accept any potential failures. Our physio said he has no injury concerns. He is fatigued, but we could have managed him well. However, he pulled out and is unavailable for this tour. I think this could hurt Pakistan cricket.
“We spoke to the captain and coach, and they wanted to utilise Haris Rauf as an impact player in Test cricket. We weren’t demanding more than 10-12 overs a day from him, which he has done in ODIs. Our frontline Test bowling options who bowl 140+ and can create an impact are unfit, all three of them. As a player, I think you need to sacrifice in such a situation and look to play for Pakistan rather than moving back.”
Rauf has only played a solitary Test match for Pakistan throughout his career after making his debut against England last year in Rawalpindi.
