Last Update on: November 21st, 2023 at 03:45 pm
Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi shared his verdict on pacer Haris Rauf pulling out of the Test series against Australia. He said that it wasn’t a correct decision by him as fast bowlers enjoy Australian conditions and he could’ve prepared well.
Pakistan recently announced the squad for the upcoming Test series against Australia. However, one thing that caught the attention of many was Haris Rauf’s name not being there. This raised many speculations but later it was revealed that he himself opted out of the three-match Test series.
Haris Rauf earlier was adamant to play in the series but on the eve of the squad announcement, he made himself unavailable. The fast bowler took the decision, keeping in mind his workload and fitness. The pacer conveyed to selectors that he was fatigued and needed a break.
Haris Rauf’s decision to pull out of the Test series against Australia however has raised quite a few questions about his commitment to the team. This has now become a new debate in the Pakistan Cricket and the latest to join the bandwagon is Shahid Afridi.
Shahid Afridi pointed out that had the Test series been slated to take place in Asia then he wouldn’t have picked Haris Rauf, but in Australian conditions, the pacer should’ve enjoyed and his decision is not correct at all. Speaking to Samaa TV, he explained:
“If the Test series had been in Asia, I wouldn’t have taken Haris Rauf along. Haris Rauf is missing a big opportunity because Australian conditions are very good for the pacers. Fast bowlers enjoy playing in those conditions. He didn’t need to play all three games, had he played just one and along with training and practice sessions, he could’ve prepared well for the T20I sides against New Zealand, where conditions are different. He could’ve adjusted easily. I think refusing to tour Australia for the test series is not the correct decision by Haris Rauf.”
Refusing to tour Australia for the test series is not the correct decision by Haris Rauf : Shahid Afridi pic.twitter.com/GU2OItsNcC
— TEAM AFRIDI (@TEAM_AFRIDI) November 20, 2023
I think this could hurt Pakistan cricket – Wahab Riaz on Haris Rauf opting out of the series
Chief selector Wahab Riaz talked about Haris Rauf’s absence. He admitted that despite the management assuring him that they would manage his workload, the pacer didn’t agree. He also added that it’ll hurt the team. Speaking about the same, he explained:
“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.”.
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
