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Injury Sidelines Haris Rauf From MLC 2025, Puts Bangladesh T20I Series In Doubt

Sakshi Sharma

Haris Rauf in MLC 2025 (Source:@SFOUnicorns,x.com)Haris Rauf in MLC 2025 (Source:@SFOUnicorns,x.com)

In a significant development, the San Francisco Unicorns and Pakistan's star pacer Haris Rauf has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2025 Cognizant Major League Cricket (MLC) season due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain, his franchise confirmed on Monday.

The injury occurred during the Unicorns’ recent clash against the Texas Super Kings, where Rauf had to be substituted off the field mid-game. An MRI scan conducted post-match confirmed the hamstring strain, making him unavailable for the crucial playoff stage of the tournament, which begins on Tuesday, July 8, in Grand Prairie, Texas.

It is important to note that at the time of his injury, Haris Rauf was the leading wicket-taker in MLC 2025, having claimed 17 wickets in eight matches. 

The San Francisco Unicorns are set to complete their league stage fixtures against the LA Knight Riders on July 6. A win would confirm their spot in the top two of the league table, securing a place in the Qualifier and a second chance at reaching the final.

Ben Lister Joins Unicorns As Replacement

To fill the void left by Rauf, the Unicorns have drafted in New Zealand left-arm pacer Ben Lister as a like-for-like replacement. The 29-year-old, who has represented New Zealand in 12 T20Is, has been training with the squad for the past two weeks and is ready for immediate selection.

Known for his effectiveness with the new ball and death-over skills, Lister brings international pedigree and depth to the San Francisco pace attack, which now looks to carry momentum into the playoff rounds.

Pakistan Series In Doubt For Rauf

The injury not only ends Rauf’s MLC campaign but also puts his participation in Pakistan’s upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh in serious doubt. The three-match series is scheduled to begin on July 20, with the squad set to begin a training camp in Karachi on July 8 and depart for Bangladesh on July 16.

While the PCB has yet to release an official statement, team sources indicate that Rauf is unlikely to recover in time to feature in the series.

Rauf’s absence would be a significant blow for Pakistan, especially given his red-hot form in MLC. The team will now monitor his rehabilitation closely, with potential replacements expected to be named once clarity emerges from the medical staff.