After their poor performance in the recently concluded ODI World Cup 2023, Pakistan will now turn their focus to red-ball cricket as they face Australia in a three-match Test series from December 14 to January 7.
Ahead of the series, in a major development for Pakistan, it was announced that star fast bowler Haris Rauf has withdrawn from the series to better manage his workload. However, Rauf’s withdrawal from the series did not please the new chief selector of PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) Wahab Riaz.
Talking to journalists, Riyaaz He made a scathing attack against Rauf and said that his exclusion from the Test series would prove to be very harmful for Pakistan cricket.
“We talked to Haris Rauf for this tour, when we talked to him two days ago, he gave his consent to play Test cricket for Pakistan. But last night he changed his mind, and now he is part of it. Don’t want to be.” Test series. I am disclosing this because we must be honest with officials, teammates and the public. We spoke to Harris and he was concerned about his body and fitness as well as his workload. Mohammad Hafeez and I sat together and tried to facilitate him in every way possible. We told him that even if he doesn’t perform well there, we will accept it,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Wahab Riaz as saying.
I think this will harm Pakistan cricket: Wahab Riaz
Furthermore, Riaz gave this opinion Rauf Pakistan cricket will suffer loss due to Australia being out of Test series. The chief selector said that the team physio also spoke to him and ensured that no injury was a hindrance for him.
“Our physio spoke to him and said he didn’t expect any problems or injuries. There was definitely fatigue, but we were sure we could manage it very well. But he pulled out at the last moment And he made himself unavailable. I think this will be a loss for Pakistan cricket.”
