The newly appointed Chief Selector, Wahab Riaz, revealed the 18-memberPakistan Test squad set to embark on the upcoming tour to Australia,marking his inaugural task since assuming the role as the head of thenational men’s selection committee just last week. The highly anticipatedthree-match series is slated to unfold from December 14, 2023, to January7, 2024.
However, the composition of the squad has stirred curiosity as it notablyexcludes the dynamic pace bowler Haris Rauf. Addressing this omission in apress conference, Wahab shed light on Rauf’s decision to opt out of thetour, citing concerns related to workload management.
Wahab underscored Rauf’s significance as an impact player and stressed theimportance of harnessing his skills in Test cricket. He elucidated that themanagement had initially reached an understanding with Rauf, anticipatinghim to bowl 10 to 12 overs per day.
However, Rauf did not agree to this arrangement. “He’s an impact player,and we need to utilize him in Test cricket. We only demanded him to bowl 10to 12 overs per day. Also, he bowled recently in one-day cricket. The onlyissue is our bowlers who can bowl 140+ are unfit right now. So, as aplayer, you need to sacrifice and play for Pakistan instead of steppingback,” Wahab stated.
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It’s noteworthy that Rauf’s last Test match for Pakistan was againstEngland in December 2022, during the tour in England.