Tag: Haris Rauf

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar on Thursday said the team’s current pace attack, featuring Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah reminds him of the era of the great pair of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

Pakistan’s pace trio is one of the world’s best fast-bowling attacks, and they proved it in the ongoing ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023.

The trio has taken 23 wickets between them in the first three matches of the Asia Cup co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, a precursor to next month’s one-day international World Cup in India.

Left-arm pacer Shaheen rattled the Indian top order last week in a group match that was abandoned due to rain after just one innings and remains a threat ahead of a key Super Four clash between the arch-rivals on Sunday.

“These youngsters are very, very talented and I am happy that Pakistan is able to produce such fast bowlers over and over again,” Shoaib Akhtar said in an online chat organised by Star Sports.

“This pace battery reminds me of the old days… reminds me of that era of two Ws (Waqar and Wasim). They are very confident and have the mindset of taking wickets.”

Wasim and Waqar took over 900 ODI wickets between them, striking fear into the hearts of opposing batsmen with their lightning-fast reverse swing deliveries.

Shaheen leads the charge with new-ball partner Naseem, but it is first-change Rauf who tops the Asia Cup bowling chart with nine wickets.

Pakistan thrashed Bangladesh in the opening match of the Super Fours in Lahore on Wednesday with Rauf returning 4-19 from his six overs.

“I would say Shaheen Shah Afridi is on top of his career right now. Haris Rauf has a wicket-taking mindset like Shaheen,” said Shoaib Akhtar, who later joined Pakistan’s pace attack alongside Wasim and Waqar.

“I would just advise Naseem to bowl more wicket-taking deliveries than be a stock bowler. He seams the ball more than Shaheen and can penetrate more.”

Pakistan has had a history of producing great fast bowlers including Fazal Mahmood, Sarfraz Nawaz and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan.

Shoaib Akhtar said Pakistan remain favourites to win the Asia Cup and the World Cup starting October 5 and predicted Babar Azam’s team will topple India in both tournaments.

READ: Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan team reaches Colombo

LAHORE: Fast bowler Haris Rauf became the joint-third fastest Pakistani bowler to pick 50 ODI wickets today during the ongoing match against Bangladesh in the Super Four Stage of Asia Cup 2023.

Haris Rauf achieved this feat in his 27th ODI match, equaling legendary fast bowler Waqar Younis’s record. He got his 50th wicket when Bangladesh’s opening batter attempted a pull shot but the ball ballooned up with a top edge and landed in the hands of the bowler.

Haris Rauf also holds the record for the highest strike rate in ODI by a Pakistani bowler.

Meanwhile, the record for the fastest to take 50 ODI wickets for Pakistan belongs to Hasan Ali, who reached the milestone in 24 matches, followed by Shaheen Afridi who achieved it in 25 matches.

Haris Rauf helped Pakistan book Bangladesh for a meagre 193 inside 40 overs. He ended the innings with impressive bowling figures of 4-19 in six overs, including the wicket of Bangladesh’s top scorer Mushfiqur Rahim.

Bangladesh had a dismal start to their innings in the first Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s fixture as they were reduced to 47/4 inside the first powerplay as the Pakistan pace trio ran through their top order.

Following the slump, captain Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim launched an astonishing recovery as they put together a brilliant 100-run partnership with the former bringing up his half-century.

The pair appeared to have settled down and was looking to take the game away from Pakistan before Faheem Ashraf struck in the 30th over.

Following Shakib’s dismissal, Mushfiqur Rahim was joined at the crease by Shamim Hossain and the pair could add 27 runs for the sixth wicket before Pakistan’s trump card Iftikhar Ahmed got rid of the latter.

Haris Rauf then further dented Bangladesh’s march with twin strikes in the 38th over which included the prized scalp of wicketkeeper batter Mushfiqur.

Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored for Bangladesh with 64 in 87 balls, laced up with five boundaries.

Haris’s twin strikes forced Bangladesh to slip to 190/8 before Naseem Shah emulated the feat in the next over by removing Afif Hossain and Shoriful Islam to wrap up the visitors’ innings.

READ: PCB unveils schedule of domestic cricket season 2023-24

LAHORE: Haris Rauf’s four-fer, followed by Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan’s half-centuries powered Pakistan to a resounding seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s fixture on Wednesday.

Set to chase 194, Pakistan comfortably amassed the total for the loss of just three wickets with 63 balls to spare, courtesy of anchoring half-centuries by Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan.

Pakistan had a contrasting start to their pursuit as their opening pair could add 35 runs for the first wicket before Shoriful Islam dismissed Fakhar Zaman in the 10th over.

Fakhar could score 20 off 31 deliveries, hitting three boundaries.

Following his dismissal, Babar Azam joined Imam in the middle and put on a cautious 39-run partnership before Taskin Ahmed castled the Pakistan captain to cause a stir in the pursuit.

Babar scored 17 off 22 deliveries with the help of a boundary.

Coming out to bat at number four, Mohammad Rizwan launched recovery with opener Imam as the pair batted sensibly on their way to a gritty 85-run partnership.

Imam was the core aggressor of his third-wicket stand with Rizwan and also brought up his half-century in the process before falling to Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the 33rd over when Pakistan still needed 35 runs.

Imam-ul-Haq remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with an 84-ball 78, laced up with five boundaries and four sixes.

Rizwan then joined forces with Salman Ali Agha and made sure to steer Pakistan to a comfortable victory with an unbeaten 35-run partnership.

Rizwan smashed seven boundaries and a six on his way to an unbeaten 79-ball 63 while Agha scored 12 not out.

For Bangladesh, Shoriful, Taskin and Mehidy could pick up a wicket apiece.

Opting to bat first, Bangladesh could accumulate 193 runs before being bundled out in the 39th over despite anchoring half-centuries from skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim.

Bangladesh had a dismal start to their innings in their first Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s fixture as they were reduced to 47/4 inside the first powerplay as the Pakistan pace trio ran through their top order.

Following the slump, captain Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim launched an astonishing recovery as they put together a brilliant 100-run partnership with the former bringing up his half-century.

The pair appeared to have settled down and was looking to take the game away from Pakistan before Faheem Ashraf struck in the 30th over.

The lanky pacer outdid well-set Shakib with a short-pitched delivery, who holed it straight to Fakhar Zaman at the sweeper.

Shakib scored 53 off 57 deliveries with the help of seven boundaries.

Following Shakib’s dismissal, Mushfiqur Rahim was joined at the crease by Shamim Hossain and the pair could add 27 runs for the sixth wicket before Pakistan’s trump card Iftikhar Ahmed got rid of the latter.

Shamim scored a cautious 23-ball 16 which featured a six.

Pakistan’s in-form pacer Haris Rauf then further dented Bangladesh’s march with twin strikes in the 38th over which included the prized scalp of wicketkeeper batter Mushfiqur.

Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored for Bangladesh with 64 in 87 balls, laced up with five boundaries.

Haris’s twin strikes forced Bangladesh to slip to 190/8 before Naseem Shah emulated the feat in the next over by removing Afif Hossain and Shoriful Islam to wrap up the visitors’ innings.

Haris Rauf led the bowling attack for Pakistan with 4/19, followed by Naseem Shah’s 3/34 while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Faheem Ashraf and Iftikhar Ahmed made one scalp each.

READ: Sri Lanka avoid Afghanistan scare to reach Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s

The upcoming edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2023 will feature three Pakistan players Haris Rauf, Usama Mir and Zaman Khan.

The players’ draft for the upcoming 13th edition of the BBL took place on Sunday, September 2.

Haris Rauf, who rose to fame following his sensational stint with Melbourne Stars in the ninth edition of the BBL — taking 20 wickets in 10 matches at 19.4 including a hat-trick and a five-wicket haul — has rejoined the franchise for the upcoming edition.

Joining Haris Rauf at Melbourne Stars is his Pakistan teammate Usama Mir, fresh from a breakout English domestic season amid which he took 25 wickets at 18 across 17 T20 Blast and The Hundred matches.

Notably, Usama Mir is yet to make his T20I debut for Pakistan but has represented the country in eight ODIs and took 11 wickets in the longer format.

He, alongside Haris Rauf, is part of the Pakistan squad for the ongoing ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023.

Another Pakistan pacer Zaman Khan was roped in by Sydney Thunder in the Gold category.

Zaman has emerged as a death-over specialist in his prevailing domestic and franchise career.

He also made his international debut for Pakistan in an away three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in March this year and went on to play six matches and pick four wickets at 32.5.

Zaman Khan recently represented the Toronto Nationals in Global T20 Canada and Manchester Originals in The Hundred.

It is pertinent to mention that the upcoming 13th edition of the BBL will commence on December 7 with Haris Rauf and Usama Mir’s Melbourne Stars taking on last season’s runners-up Brisbane Heat in the curtain raiser while the final of the extravaganza will take place on January 2024.

READ: Sohail Khan announces retirement from International cricket

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has revealed his batting plan against fellow Pakistani pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, in the upcoming The Hundred clash on Thursday.

Shadab Khan, currently playing for Birmingham Phoenix, shared his strategy for facing Welsh Fire’s Shaheen and Haris on the field. He simply aims to “Whack them for sixes.”

Shadab is playing in The Hundred for the first time, after missing out on earlier editions due to national commitments.

He made his debut in the rain-effected game against Northern Supercharges. Shadab got out for a duck before the match was abandoned due to rain.

“When you play against your friends and perform against each other, you’re teasing each other about it all year,” Shadab said.

He further added: “They’re my close mates, so I want to beat them – because they beat me in the PSL.”

Shaheen Afridi is currently the joint-second leading wicket-taker in the Hundred with five wickets from three games, while Haris Rauf has managed to pick up three wickets so far.

Pakistan’s pace duo will be replaced by New Zealand bowlers Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry in the Welsh Fire’s side for the latter part of the Hundred, as they are set to leave for national duty.

Shadab Khan, along with Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf will depart from the UK to join Pakistan’s ODI squad for their series against Afghanistan later this month in Sri Lanka.

“Slowly, we are building up our workload,” Afridi says. “It won’t be easy in Sri Lanka – different weather as well – but hopefully in the Asia Cup and World Cup we will do very well.”

READ: Aaqib Javed rates Zaman Khan over Naseem Shah in white-ball cricket

India’s wicketkeeper batter Dinesh Karthik spoke highly of Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf and termed him one of the best white-ball bowlers in the world currently.

The cricketer-turned-commentator, in an interview with Sky Sports, praised Rauf and called his journey from playing tennis ball cricket to doing well in the international beautiful.

“Haris Rauf is one of the best white-ball bowlers in the world, especially in end overs — his story is beautiful with playing tennis ball cricket a few years back and getting picked by [Lahore] Qalandars, then doing so well in International cricket,” said Dinesh Karthik.

Earlier, recently retired England pace bowler Stuart Broad showered praise on Pakistan’s premier fast bowler Shaheen Afridi’s bowling action and termed him one of his favourite bowlers.

Talking to Sky Sports, Broad said, “Shaheen Shah Afridi is one of my favourite bowlers to watch in the world. He’s got such a presence about him when he runs in, and I love to see bowlers run in with energy and vibrancy to their run up.”

He further praised Shaheen for his impressive bowling skills, “He’s got such a natural skill — the way that ball swings back into the right-handers is such a pleasure to watch,”

Shaheen Shah Afridi, who represented Stuart Broad’s home county side, Notts Outlaws in this year’s T20 Blast, made his presence felt with his all-round abilities.

The left-arm pacer picked up 21 wickets in 13 matches during his T20 Blast stint. He also made notable contributions with the bat for the Outlaws, whose journey ended after a five-wicket defeat against eventual champions Somerset in the quarter-final.

“And he represented the Notts Outlaws this summer, which is close to my heart. He’s one of the bowlers I admire hugely, and I want to see him do well,” Broad added.

READ: Pakistan thump Sandviken to reach Norway Cup semi-final

Pakistan squad for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka is likely to miss Haris Rauf’s reception, scheduled to be held in Rawalpindi tonight.

According to the details, the national cricketers did not get a green signal from the management to attend their fellow cricketer Haris Rauf’s reception due to bad weather.

The Sri Lanka-Test bound players are currently in Karachi where they are partaking in the training camp for Pakistan’s first assignment of the third cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC).

The players will only engage in one training session at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre at National Bank Stadium today.

The training camp will conclude today and the contingent will then depart for Sri Lanka on July 8.

The players were supposed to go to Rawalpindi from Karachi this evening and return in the afternoon on Saturday, according to the initial plan.

However, due to poor weather and rain forecast in the country, the team management has opted not to take any risks.

Consequently, Pakistan players recorded a video message to congratulate Haris Rauf on his wedding.

In a video shared by Shaheen Shah Afridi on Twitter, Pakistan captain Babar Azam alongside his teammates congratulated the right-arm speedster.

“Harry, congratulations on your wedding,” the players cheered. “Live long my friend,” Afridi added.

Harry – Shaadi Mubarak! 🎆@HarisRauf14 pic.twitter.com/BARiTPoa1H

— Shaheen Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) July 7, 2023

 

It is worth mentioning Pakistan will start their tour of Sri Lanka with a two-day warm-up match, scheduled on July 10 and 11.

The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is scheduled to commence on July 16 while the second will embark on July 24.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood

Itinerary of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka:

9 July – Pakistan land in Colombo
11 and 12 July – Warm-up game

16-20 July – First Test at Galle International Cricket Stadium
24-28 July – Second Test at Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo.

READ: Litton Das to lead Bangladesh after shock Tamim Iqbal retirement 

The wedding festivities of Pakistan’s speedster Haris Rauf began on Tuesday with a glittering Dholki ceremony which took the internet by storm.

As the couple’s wedding rituals got underway on Wednesday with a Dholki event, a video of Haris Rauf sitting and enjoying the Qawalis, made rounds on social media platforms.

According to the details, the event was attended by Rauf’s close friends and relatives.

Cricketer Haris rauf ki Shaadi taqribat jari. Dholki ki takreb ma Sathi players or doston ki shirkat. Haris rauf ki Shaadi Friday ko hogi.#Harisrauf #Cricket #marriage @HarisRauf14 pic.twitter.com/Wsr9r8DD85

— Baber khan (@Baberkhansr) July 5, 2023

It must be noted that Rauf’s wedding ceremony will be held on Friday and is anticipated to be attended by his teammates, who are currently partaking in the training camp in Karachi for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

Details further suggested that the participating players will be released from the training camp on Friday to attend the pacer’s wedding ceremony.

The squad will then return to Karachi on Saturday and will depart for Sri Lanka, via Dubai, on the same day.

Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf got nikkahfied to Muzna Masood in a close-knit affair in the capital city in December last year. The bride was a class fellow of the pacer.

The hush-hush affair was attended by several of his teammates and cricket celebs including another groom-to-be Shaheen Shah Afridi, and pictures from the daytime ceremony made rounds on social media.

Both Rauf and his now-wife Muzna twinned in white ensembles for the big day. The star wife slipped into a white and gold ensemble by an unknown designer and paired it with gold traditional jewellery.

She was dolled by celebrated makeup artists at Allure Salon who shared the anticipated first look of Masood in the morning today, not to miss the adorable ‘HR150’ on her henna design.

The groom on the other hand looked dapper in his cream and white sherwani.

The fellow players of the Pakistan cricket team sent heartwarming wishes for the couple on their big day.

It is worth mentioning here that since making his international debut in 2020, Haris Rauf has represented Pakistan in 62 T20Is, 22 ODIs and one Test. He has taken 123 wickets in his rising career thus far.

READ: Carlo Ancelotti to coach Brazil from 2024 Copa America

The wedding celebration dates of Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf and his wife Muzna Masood Malik will happen in July.

The Baaraat is scheduled for July 6, whereas the Walima will take place the next day.

UPDATE: UPDATE: Barat is on 6th July & Walima on 7th😍 https://t.co/Tup47NzFgx

— Mariam (@punk1stan) June 8, 2023

 

Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf got nikkahfied to Muzna Masood in a close-knit affair in the capital city in December last year. The bride was a class fellow of the pacer.

The hush-hush affair was attended by several of his teammates and cricket celebs including another groom-to-be Shaheen Shah Afridi, and pictures from the daytime ceremony made rounds on social media.

Both Haris and his now-wife Muzna twinned in white ensembles for the big day. The star wife slipped into a white and gold ensemble by an unknown designer and paired it with gold traditional jewellery.

She was dolled by celebrated makeup artists at Allure Salon who shared the anticipated first look of Masood in the morning today, not to miss the adorable ‘HR150’ on her henna design.

The groom on the other hand looked dapper in his cream and white sherwani.

The fellow players of the Pakistan cricket team sent heartwarming wishes for the couple on their big day.

It is worth mentioning here that since making his international debut in 2020, Haris Rauf has represented Pakistan in 62 T20Is, 22 ODIs and one Test. He has taken 123 wickets in his rising career thus far.

Notably, Haris recently captained Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars in an exhibition match against Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) XI at the newly built Narowal Sports Complex last month.

The 10-over-per-side exhibition match served as the soft opening of the multi-billion rupees sports facility in Narowal.

In the star-studded exhibition match, Haris Rauf-led Lahore Qalandars rout PCB XI by ten wickets and 14 balls to spare.

READ: Nahida Khan retires from international cricket

LAHORE: Haris Rauf will lead his Pakistan Super League franchise Lahore Qalandar in an exhibition game against Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) XI at the newly built Narowal Sports Complex on May 28. 

The 10-over-per-side exhibition match will serve as the soft opening of the multi-billion rupees sports facility in Narowal.

Two-time PSL champions, Qalandars, announced the 15-member squad for the exhibition match under the leadership of their premium fast bowler Rauf on Friday.

Meanwhile, regular captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is currently playing for Nottinghamshire in the ongoing Vitaly Blast 2023, will not be part of Lahore Qalandars at the event.

The exhibition game between the two sides is organized to mark the occasion of Youm-e-Takbeer – commemorating the 25th anniversary of historic nuclear tests Pakistan conducted on May 28 in 1998.

Pakistan star opener Fakhar Zaman, and emerging players from the PSL season 8, including Tahir Baig and Ahsan Hafeez Bhatti, will also feature in the match.

Meanwhile, Kamran Akmal, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ilyas, Mohammad Akhlaq, Abbas Afridi, Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Sajid Khan, Ali Imran and Usman Qadir will be part of the PCB XI, along with top domestic performers and U19 players.

The match will begin at 2:30 PM (PST) on Sunday (May 28).

Lahore Qalandars Squad:

Haris Rauf (C), Fakhar Zaman, Tahir Baig, Faham ul Haq, Muhammad Naeem, Haydar Khan (Overseas), Ahsan Bhatti, Salman Fayyaz, Taha Mehmood, Hunain Shah, Tayyab Abbas, Jallat Khan, Haroon Tahir, Sheryar Imran and Muhammad Shoaib

READ: ICC reveals prize money for World Test Championship winner