Pakistan chief selector Wahab Riaz has opened up about rumors of right-arm fast pacer Haris Rauf’s central contract possibly being terminated amid the NOC saga.
Haris Rauf had earlier refused to play the upcoming Test series against Australia citing concerns over workload and lack of practice with the red ball. And Wahab Riaz had expressed his disappointment over the pacer’s decision to pull out of the series at the last moment.
It was reported that the PCB will delay Haris Rauf’s No Objection Certificate for his participation in the BBL as the officials wanted the express pacer to participate in the National T20 Cup which runs till December 10. Subsequently, the PCB officially issued the NOC to the pacer for five matches.
Recently, Wahab Riaz broke his silence by issuing the NOC to Haris for BBL. He also addressed rumors about the possible termination of Rauf’s contract with the centre-back.
He said they are not trying to end the express pacer’s career and the issuance of a show-cause notice to Rauf was not the first such case in Pakistan cricket.
“Haris Rauf is our own product. We are not here to finish his career. When any player signs the central contract, he will surely make Pakistan cricket his priority. There are termination clauses in the central contract in case of default, but people assume and spread rumors as if they know everything. The show cause notice is not something that has happened for the first time, so there is no need to make it a big deal,” Wahab told Sports Paktv.
We did not suffer any pressure by giving the NOC to Haris Rauf – Wahab Riaz
On Monday, December 4, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued an official statement confirming that NOCs had been awarded to fast bowlers Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan and Usama Mir for the Big Bash League 2023-24.
Meanwhile, Wahab Riaz has said that they were not under any pressure while handing over the NOCs to the players. He said:
“We are not under any pressure when delivering the NOCs. “There is a committee of 3 or 4 members who discuss whether the players in question are in the national team scheme and accordingly the NOC process begins.”
The Pakistan chief selector also said that Rauf did not have much to do after the National T20 Cup and participation in the Big Bash League will keep him in rhythm. He elaborated:
“Haris Rauf captained the Islamabad team in the domestic T20 competition, but they failed to reach the super eight stage. There is a gap of a month and a half between now and the New Zealand tour. Cricket Australia’s contract with the Big Bash is for just five games. We want our players to keep playing and maintain the pace as he is a fast bowler. That is why we gave him the NOC from December 7 to 28, after which he will directly join the Pakistan team in New Zealand if he is selected.”
