Lahore Qalandars owner Sameen Rana threatens PCB for Haris Rauf treatment after his team gets knocked out of PSL 2024

Sameen Rana, owner of PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars has once again defended Haris Rauf over claims that the fast-bowler prioritizes T20 leagues over playing for the Pakistan Test team. The fast-bowler’s commitment to the Pakistan team has been questioned ever since he refused to be a part of the team for the Test series in Australia in December-January.

After he had made himself unavailable for the series, chief selector Wahab Riaz publicly criticized him while also stating that the bowler’s decision would hurt the team.

While Pakistan were busy playing Tests in Australia, Haris Rauf played in the Big Bash League. Pakistan suffered a whitewash in the three-match series. After the Australia Tests, the under-pressure bowler joined the team for the five-match T20I series in New Zealand and played in four games.

Sameen Rana defends Haris Rauf:

Last month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) terminated Haris Rauf’s central contract for his refusal to be a part of the Test team. Just two days before the start of the ongoing PSL, the PCB released a statement, stating that it decided after the bowler gave unsatisfactory responses.

Following PCB’s decision, Rana slammed the board for the timing of the announcement. Calling the board’s handling of the situation ‘pathetic’, Rana said that the decision was a ‘huge blow psychologically’ for Haris Rauf. He was asked about the pacer’s commitments for the Test team once again when he addressed the media after Lahore Qalandars’ game against Quetta Gladiators.

In reply, Rana defended the right-arm pacer, saying: “You have raised a good question. There is a perception that Haris Rauf does not want to play Test cricket. I want to remind you that he was not a part of the three Test series played before the Australia series which means he was not in plan (for the Test team).”

“Later, there were talks about Haris refusing Test cricket because of league cricket but it was the other way around. Haris left the Big Bash League contract to bowl in the nets for the Pakistan Test team. Few years ago when Pakistan traveled to New Zealand, he left his BBL contract but did not play in the Test series. He bowled in the nets to the Pakistan team in New Zealand,” he added.

"Haris Rauf left a BBL contract to do net bowling for the Test team" – Sameen Rana rejected suggestions that Haris Rauf puts leagues ahead of playing for Pakistan.#HBLPSL9 | #QGvLQ pic.twitter.com/rnzTKQrLHT

— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) March 10, 2024