Haris Rauf Refutes Wahab Riaz's Claims Of Withdrawing Late From Australia Tour
Haris Rauf has played one Test for Pakistan [X.com]
With the fallout of a disastrous ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is making knee-jerk changes, which witnesses former pacer Wahab Riaz heading Pakistan men's cricket selection panel.
Riaz, who selected Pakistan's squad for the three-Test series in Australia, is already in the firing line, receiving backlash from fast bowler Haris Rauf.
Controversy in Pakistan cricket
The former left-arm pacer during his presser explained Rauf withdrew from the Test tour citing workload management, a claim that is now being refuted by the latter.
As reported by Cricket Pakistan, a close source to Riaz states that the 30-year-old never gave the green signal for Tests Down Under, thus withdrawing last moment does not even arise.
The report further states how Rauf categorically explained to Riaz about not being involved in red-ball cricket and his desire to work on fitness in limited-overs cricket.
The Lahore Qalandars bowler has played just one Test for Pakistan, playing against England last year at Rawalpindi.
Rauf's participation in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 2023-24 remains doubtful, given his estranged relations with the chief selector. The fast bowler is expected to turn for Melbourne Stars, a franchise that has been crucial to the bowlers rise in T20 cricket.
Interestingly, the BBL 13 season clashes with Pakistan's tour, which starts December 13, while Australia's premier T20 competition begins December 7.
Meanwhile, PCB and Riaz have named Shan Masood as Test skipper for the Australian series, who takes over the reins from Babar Azam, who stepped down after the World Cup debacle.
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