Haris Rauf Joins Pakistan Team Ahead Of SCG Test Against Australia

image-lqtjd4gkHaris Rauf joined Pakistan team ahead of SCG Test (x.com)

Haris Rauf has joined the Pakistan cricket team in Sydney just days prior to their third Test match against hosts Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Back in November, the 30-year-old had originally ditched Pakistan’s national commitment to play Big Bash League (BBL) 2023-24 matches for Melbourne Stars.

Rauf played four matches for Stars between December 13 and December 28; however, he skipped their must-win away game against Adelaide Strikers on December 31.

Haris Rauf joins Pakistan team in Sydney

Haris Rauf has joined the Pakistan cricket team, mere weeks after ditching national commitment to play BBL 2023-24 matches for Melbourne Stars. The cricketer was spotted making his way to Sydney in Pakistan colors, as the team braces itself for the forthcoming ‘New Year’ Test match against hosts Australia, set to be played between January 3 and January 7.

Pakistan slumped to huge defeats against Australia in the first two Tests to lose their three-match series with a game to spare. In Rauf’s absence, Shaheen Afridi helmed Pakistan’s bowling attack and was accompanied by a number of youngsters including debutants Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad.

With Haris Rauf joining the Pakistan team, one can assume that the cricketer might likely feature in his country’s starting line-up at the SCG.

The speedster recently claimed match-winning three-fers for Melbourne Stars against Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes in successive BBL 2023-24 games, thus signaling his team’s booming comeback after a string of early defeats.

Back in November 2023, Rauf received much criticism from the entire Pakistani cricketing spectrum after he had opted himself out of their three-match Test tour of Australia to prioritize franchise cricket.