• sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 02/15/2024
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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) takes decisive action as fast bowler Haris Rauf faces contract termination for his refusal to participate in the Test tour of Australia, preferring to compete in the Big Bash League (BBL) for Melbourne Stars.

Contract Termination

The PCB’s decision to terminate Haris Rauf’s central contract comes as a consequence of his decision to forego the Test tour of Australia, which clashed with his participation in the BBL. Despite Pakistan’s disappointing 3-0 loss in the Test series against Australia between December and January, Rauf opted for BBL commitments over national team duties.

The Test tour of Australia coincided with the schedule of the Big Bash League, Australia’s premier T20 franchise tournament, where Haris Rauf subsequently represented Melbourne Stars. His choice to prioritise franchise cricket over national team obligations led to repercussions from the PCB.

In addition to contract termination, the PCB has imposed a ban on Haris Rauf from participating in any foreign leagues until 30 June. The governing body has withheld the ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC), which permits players to compete in overseas domestic competitions, citing Rauf’s refusal to tour Australia without sufficient justification.

Impact on International Commitments

Despite the ban from foreign leagues, Haris Rauf’s international commitments remain unaffected. He is expected to feature in Pakistan’s matches during this period, including a white-ball series against England scheduled for May. While Rauf’s refusal to join the Test squad for the Australia tour raises concerns, his role in Pakistan’s white-ball sides remains crucial.

The PCB stated that Haris Rauf’s explanations for his refusal to tour Australia were deemed “unsatisfactory” during a hearing on the matter. The board emphasised that refusal to fulfil national team obligations without a valid medical report, or justifiable reason constitutes a violation of the central contract.

Despite featuring in only one Test match for Pakistan, Haris Rauf is considered a senior figure in their white-ball squads. Following the Australia tour, he recently participated in the five-match T20 series against New Zealand, showcasing his importance in Pakistan’s limited-overs setups.