Another fast-bowler hailing from the beautiful city of Rawalpindi, Haris Rauf was a professional tape ball bowler whose childhood dream was to play professional football. With a short stature, he had the ability to bowl at a rapid pace of 145 kph+.

After playing professional tape ball cricket for over 4 years, Rauf was picked by the Lahore Qalandars where he was backed up by Rawalpindi express Shoaib Akhtar and Aquib Javed, who compelled him to play cricket in Australia after which he made his debut for Lahore Qalandars in 2018 Abu Dhabi T20 Trophy. He made his List A debut playing for Baluchistan in the 2019 Pakistan Cup against Punjab (Pakistan) on 2nd April 2019.

Rauf’s impressive performance in PSL earned him a spot in the 2019-20 Big Bash League (BBL) for the Melbourne Stars when he replaced the injured Dale Steyn. Rauf made global headlines when he picked 20 wickets in just 10 matches in his debut season, including a memorable hat-trick against the Sydney Sixers. He became the first Pakistani bowler and also the first of the Melbourne Star’s bowler to do so. Rauf also picked up a five-wicket haul against the Hobart Hurricanes in his second appearance in the coveted tournament.

Following an exception BBL and PSL tournament, Haris dream to play for his national team came true. He made his T20I debut against Bangladesh on 24th January 2020 and picked up his maiden international wicket. In June 2020, Haris was picked in the 29 man squad to represent Pakistan in England but unfortunately, he was one of the three players who tested positive for COVID-19. Advised to go in self-isolation, Rauf was replaced by Mohammad Amir in the Test squad.

Rauf made his ODI debut for Pakistan, against Zimbabwe on 30 October 2020 but went wicketless in the victory. Yet to make his Test debut, the youngster has been named in Pakistan’s Test squad ahead of their series against Zimbabwe in March 2021.

Having shot to prominence already in the shorter formats around the world, Rauf is yet to prove himself at an International level and also in longer formats of the game. Known for his quick and furious spells, Rauf would be hoping to make a name of himself in the upcoming series against Zimbabwe and secure his spot in the 2021 ICC T20 Cricket World Cup.

(As of March 2021)