Last Update on: November 21st, 2023 at 05:27 pm
Former Pakistan cricketer Aaqib Javed slammed PCB for forcing Haris Rauf to play Test cricket. He highlighted how the fast bowler got injured after playing one game in the longest format of the game and questioned why they wanted to play him.
Haris Rauf has become the hot soup in Pakistan cricket after he made himself unavailable for the Test series against Australia. The fast bowler kept in mind his workload and body and decided to opt out of the series.
PCB chief selector Wahab Riaz said they assured him that they would look after him and manage his workload. He mentioned that even physios were optimistic about his fitness, but the pacer didn’t agree and added his absence might hurt Pakistan. He stated:
“We spoke to Haris Rauf about this tour 2 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. 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.”.
Keeping in mind Wahab Riaz’s statement, Aaqib Javed lashed out at the PCB, saying that he has been playing T20 cricket for the last one year and hasn’t played a single Test. Javed slammed them saying that on what basis they are picking him as there’s no logic behind his selection. He stated:
“Haris Rauf has been playing T20 cricket, he hasn’t played Test cricket for a year, so how can they play him? Haris played one Test and got unfit. PCB claims they will respect players, on the other hand, they put pressure on them. Right now there is no logic that you are telling Haris to play Test cricket. On what performance are you telling Haris to play in the Australia series?”
If Pakistan can avoid a whitewash in this series, it will be a big feat – Aaqib Javed
Pakistan are first scheduled to have a training camp. It’ll take place in Rawalpindi from November 20. After that, they will travel to Australia for the Test series. The first match will be played in Perth from 14th December. The focus will then shift towards the second match, to be played from 27th December in Melbourne. The final match will happen in Sydney from 3rd January.
Aaqib Javed highlighted the struggles of the Pakistan team in Australia over the past few years and said that it’ll be a big feat for the team. He added:
“Pakistan teams with big names went to Australia but couldn’t win. If Pakistan can avoid a whitewash in this series, it will be a big feat.”
Here’s Pakistan’s squad for the Test series against Australia:
Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Nauman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed
