Pacer Haris Rauf will be making his return to the Big Bash League for Melbourne Stars. The 28-year-old has been signed by the Stars for the majority of the second portion of the BBL 2021-22 as they side to bolster their bowling attack.
Rauf’s rise to fame and progression to wear the national colours for Pakistan began in the truest sense with the BBL back in 2019-20. After catching the eye in the Lahore Qalandars scouting programme, he went on to play for Stars that Australian summer and made everyone take notice of his talent and promise.
The right-arm quick took 20 wickets from his 10 outings for the Stars and ably filled in for the injured South African great Dale Steyn. Playing his first home game for Stars at MCG, Rauf took a rare T20 hat-trick against the Sydney Thunder.
Pakistan selectors immediately nodded in approval of Rauf’s pace and ability as they handed him his maiden international call-up early last year when Bangladesh toured the country for T20Is. Since then, Haris has become an integral part of the white-ball set-up, taking 14 wickets in his eight ODIs and 38 scalps in his 32 T20Is for Pakistan.
Haris didn’t have the best of BBL 2020-21, taking only one wicket from his three matches. But Stars believe they desperately need his presence in the side, especially after losing Billy Stanlake, Liam Hatcher and Marcus Stoinis to injuries.
“We can’t wait to see Haris Rauf back at the Stars. His addition brings experience, energy and quality to our fast-bowling stocks,”
David Hussey, the Stars head coach, was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Injuries to Stanlake, Hatcher and Stoinis meant that Stars had to field an inexperienced attack for their BBL 2021-22 opener against the Sydney Sixers, where they were hammered for 213 runs and lost by a margin of 152.
Rauf is now set to play for them after the end of Pakistan’s limited-overs home series versus the West Indies. He is expected to take part in Stars’ December 27 fixture against the Brisbane Heat and be available for the rest of the season.
