PCB restores Haris Rauf's central contract after written apology from Pakistan pacer

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday restored Haris Rauf’s central contract after the pacer “admitted his mistake” in writing. Rauf’s contract had been terminated by the PCB on disciplinary grounds on the eve of this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) and after the national team had returned from their tour of New Zealand.

The board took action against Rauf after the 30-year-old did not make himself available for the Test tour of Australia citing heavy workload. The pacer however, would end up representing Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League while his Pakistan teammates were getting steamrolled by the Aussies.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said there seems to be a misunderstanding.

“After receiving his written reply the board has decided to restore his central contract,” Naqvi said at a press conference.

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Naqvi said that Haris in his reply had said that he was always committed to playing for Pakistan and his viewpoint was misunderstood but he accepted his mistake.

“So we have decided to restore his central contract. We are also worried about Haris Rauf’s fitness because he was injured during the PSL and we need to take proper care of him,” Naqvi said.

Decision on Shaheen’s future as captain will be taken after national camp: Naqvi

PCB chairman Naqvi also has indicated that a decision on Shaheen Shah Afridi’s future as captain of the T20 team will be taken after the upcoming national camp in Kakul.

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According to sources in PCB sources, wicketkeeper Mohammed Rizwan is being tipped to take over as captain in both white-ball formats.

“The selection committee and board is working on two or three things and the selectors will take decision on the captaincy after the training camp in Kakul,” Naqvi told reporters in Lahore.

“The selection committee has to do some brainstorming and sit together and decide on the captain,” Naqvi said, adding that his committee is in favour of continuity.

Shaheen replaced Babar Azam as T20I captain after Pakistan’s dismal show in the ODI World Cup in India. The decision was taken by the erstwhile committee headed by Zaka Ashraf, who also picked Shan Masood as Test captain.

It was Shaheen’s success as captain of the Lahore Qalandars, having led the franchise to back-to-back PSL titles that got him national captaincy.

However a 1-4 drubbing in a five-match T20I series in New Zealand and finishing last in this edition of PSL has certainly weakened his case ahead of T20 World Cup scheduled in June.

With PTI inputs