On Thursday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the termination of fast bowler Haris Rauf’s central contract with the national team.
According to a statement issued by the national cricket governing body, Haris Rauf was penalized following an investigation into his refusal to join Pakistan’s Test squad for the Australia tour in 2023-24.
The decision to terminate Rauf’s contract came after a committee formed by the PCB conducted a comprehensive hearing process and probe into the matter, considering the views of all stakeholders involved.
Rauf’s central contract has been terminated effective from December 1, 2023, and he will not be granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play in any foreign league until June 30, 2024.
The statement mentioned that the PCB management provided Haris Rauf with an opportunity for a personal hearing on January 30, 2024, in accordance with the principles of natural justice, but his response was deemed unsatisfactory.
Emphasizing the significance of representing Pakistan, the PCB stated that refusal to join Pakistan’s Test squad without any medical report or justifiable reason constitutes a material violation of the central contract.
Haris Rauf had opted out of playing for Pakistan in the away Test series against Australia, which took place from December 2023 to January 2024, citing workload and fitness concerns. Instead, he chose to participate in the Big Bash League (BBL) also held in Australia during the same period.
Despite concerns about his workload and fitness, Rauf had been cleared by the Pakistan team’s physio of any injury concerns prior to his withdrawal from the Test series.
