The much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 started with the Group A match between the hosts and defending champions Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday (February 19). New Zealand started the tournament with a 60-run win. 

After Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan chose to field first, New Zealand scored 320/5 in 50 overs, and the hosts replied with 260 all out. Now, we are going through some key records of the tournament opener. 

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Key Match Stats of Pakistan vs New Zealand

Will Young and Tom Latham guide New Zealand to big total

• New Zealand batters Will Young and Tom Latham hit centuries. It was the fifth time in ICC Champions Trophy history with two centuries in an innings. 
• Tom Latham (118*) became the third wicketkeeper-batter to record a century in ICC Champions Trophy history. The other two names are Zimbabwean Andy Flower (145 vs India in 2002) and Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara (134* vs England in 2013).
• With his 118*, Tom Latham recorded the second highest individual score by a New Zealand batter in ICC Champions Trophy history. The record is 145* by Nathan Astle against the USA at The Oval in the 2004 edition.
• New Zealand scored 320/5 in 50 overs. It was their second highest total in ICC Champions Trophy history. Their record is 347/4 against the USA in the 2004 The Oval match. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s 320/5 was the seventh highest total in ICC Champions Trophy history.
• New Zealand’s 320/5 was the second highest total for a team against the hosts in the ICC Champions Trophy history. The record is 323/8 by England against the hosts South Africa at Centurion during the 2009 edition. 

See Also: New Zealand create ICC Champions Trophy history with twin centuries

Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf had a forgetable outing

• Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf ended with the bowling figures of 10-0-83-2. It was the most runs conceded by a hosts’ bowler in main ICC ODI tournament history (ICC ODI World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy). Previously, English bowler Paul Allott (1/82 against Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup 1983), New Zealand bowler Tim Southee (2/82 against West Indies in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015), and English bowler Jake Ball (1/82 against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017) jointly held the record.
• With his 2 for 83 runs bowling figures, Haris Rauf recorded the second most expensive bowling figures by a Pakistan bowler (Wahab Riaz 8.4-0-87-0 vs India in 2017) and the joint fourth most expensive bowling figures among the overall bowlers in ICC Champions Trophy history. 

Pakistan very slow start

• With 22/2, Pakistan recorded their lowest-ever first 10 overs score in a home ODI.

Khushdil Shah broke Champions Trophy record against New Zealand

• Pakistan batter Khushdil Shah completed his 50 runs in 38 balls. It was the fastest half-century record against New Zealand in ICC Champions Trophy history. English legend Alastair Cook was the previous record holder with a 39-ball fifty during the 2013 edition. 

Pakistan suffered a record defeat

• Pakistan lost the match by 60 runs. It was the largest defeat (by runs) for the hosts in ICC Champions Trophy history. The previous record was South Africa losing by 55 runs against Sri Lanka during the 2009 edition.
• New Zealand have won all their four matches against Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy history. 

Pakistan has been rocked by a massive injury scare of Haris Rauf ahead of the crucial Champions Trophy 2025. Rauf picked up the injury during Pakistan's first fixture of the tri-series against New Zealand and walked off the field in the 36th over after experiencing a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region. Rauf has been in exceptional form in the past few months and his injury has now left the PCB scrambling for a viable replacement on short notice. 

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Although PCB remains hopeful of a swift recovery from Rauf, here are three front runners that have emerged as the likely candidates to replace Haris Rauf in the Pakistan squad ahead of the marquee event.

Mohammed Wasim Jnr. 

The 24-year-old Wasim has a demonstrated track record of performing well in ICC events. He finished as the third-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup claiming 10 wickets across four matches at a stunning average of 21.5. His best performance included figures of 3-31 against Bangladesh. His exploits with the ball in that game helped Pakistan dismiss Bangladesh for only 206 thus setting up a crushing win for his side. In addition, Wasim has played for Pakistan in all three formats but is perhaps seen as a highly skilled operator in the ODI format where he has taken 34 wickets averaging nearly 25. 

Mir Hamza

Hamza is another capable bowler who can leave a mark in the tournament. Although Hamza has only represented Pakistan in the longest format, Pakistan can put his skills to the test in the limited overs format too. Hamza is naturally tall and being a left-arm pacer, Hamza certainly brings something different to the table. His red-ball stats do not paint an accurate picture of his true potential with the ball. His average is well above 40 in the Test format but has thrived on the bouncy pitches of Australia where he dismissed Travis Head cheaply in a few instances. Besides, he has claimed 132 wickets in List-A cricket and seven four-wicket hauls in 94 matches. 

Akif Javed

As per widespread reports, it is believed that young left-arm pacer Akif Javed has emerged as a prime candidate to be included in the team above the rest of the other options discussed above. The 24-year-old has a plethora of experience playing franchise cricket in the PSL and the BPL. A renowned figure in the domestic circuit, Akif has been silently gaining traction following Rauf's on-field injury. Known for his pace and ability to swing the ball both ways, Akif is a genuine wicket-taker and is always up for the challenge. His numbers in First-Class, List A, and T20 cricket are mighty impressive. In List A cricket, Akif has bagged 33 wickets in 30 matches with a best of 5/60. But his numbers truly stand apart in the shortest format. In T20 cricket, Akif has been an exceptional performer with 84 wickets in 68 matches at an average of 23.53 and an economy rate of 8.23.

While Pakistan have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match away T20I series against Zimbabwe, Pakistan right-arm fast bowler Haris Rauf created a new history for his nation.

After Pakistan scored 165/4 in 20 overs after winning the toss, Zimbabwe were all out for only 108 runs in 15.3 overs, as the visitors won the match by 57 runs. Pakistan bowlers dominated in the second innings, especially after the powerplay. 

Haris Rauf finished the match with the bowling figures of 3-0-17-2. After the fast bowler dismissed Ryan Burl (3) in his second over, Rauf bowled Blessing Muzarabani for a golden duck in his third over. 

See Also: Pakistan opener Shahzaib Khan creates history in the ACC U19 Asia Cup

Haris Rauf: Leading T20I wicket-taker from Pakistan

While his first wicket of the match was Rauf’s 108th T20I wicket, he surpassed the leg-spinner Shadab Khan (107 wickets) and became the leading T20I wicket-taker for Pakistan. They are the only two bowlers from Pakistan to collect 100+ T20I wickets. Rauf finished the match with 109 T20I wickets in 76 matches. 

With his 109 T20I wickets, Rauf is now the fifth-leading T20I wicket-taker by an Asian bowler and the second-most T20I wicket-taker by an Asian pacer (after the Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman with 132 wickets). Also, Rauf is the fifth most T20I wicket-taker as a pacer and the 14th most overall T20I wicket-taker. 

Pak spinners dominated after teamwork in batting

During Zimbabwe’s unsuccessful chasing, Pakistan spinners Abrar Ahmed (3/28) and Sufiyan Muqeem (3/20) took three wickets each. Among the Zimbabwe batters, only the opener Tadiwanashe Marumani (33) and captain Sikandar Raza (39) reached the double-digit scores. 

Earlier, in the first batting, all the top-order Pakistan batters got some starts but failed to score big runs. While the opener Saim Ayub scored 24 runs off 18 balls (two fours and one six), Usman Khan scored 39 off 30 balls (two fours and two sixes). From 100/4 in 14.2 overs, Tayyad Tahir and Irfan Khan had a 65-run partnership for the unbroken fifth wicket. While Tahir was not out for 39 not out off 25 balls (four fours and one six), Irfan scored 27 not out off 15 balls (three fours).

Among the Chevrons, skipper Sikandar Raza (1/14), Richard Ngarava (1/41), Wellington Masakadza (1/23), and Ryan Burl (1/27) picked up one wicket each.

Pakistani speedster Haris Rauf has been firing on all cylinders in the ongoing white-ball series against the mighty Australians. His fiery thunderbolts and excellent precession with the ball have left the Australian batters huffing and puffing for breath. He finished the ODI series as the top-wicket taker bagging 10 wickets at a stunning average of 12. Moreover, his ability to generate swing through the air at an express pace made him a far more lethal prospect as opposed to his counterparts Shaheen, Naseen, and Hasnain.

Rauf has carried his lethal form into the ongoing T20I series where he still continues to wreak unbelievable havoc on the Australian batters. Although being enormously expensive in the first T20I, Rauf managed to make a comeback and star with the ball in the second T20I. His figures of 4-22 helped Pakistan curtail the initial onslaught from the Aussie openers as the home side came crashing down from 48-0 after 3 overs to 147-9 after 20 overs, all thanks to Rauf's sheer brilliance with the ball.

But despite a spirited bowling from Rauf and the rest of the bowling department, Pakistan failed to deliver with the bat and fell short by 14 runs in the last over. 

Here is how Rauf owned the Australian batters at the SCG

Pakistan's pace bowling combination Shaheen and Naseem got off to the worst possible start and received some terrible pounding at the hands of Matthew Short and Fraser-McGurk. Rauf was introduced into the attack when the scoreboard read 48-0 and with 17 overs to go, Australia looked all set for a colossal first-innings score in excess of 200 at the minimum. 

But as fate would have it, Australia only managed to add a mere 99 runs to their total after the initial burst from their openers thanks to some gutsy fightback from Rauf, Abbas, and Muqeem. The trio not only managed to keep the run flow down but also managed to strike deadly blows to dent Australia at every phase of the innings. 

Haris Rauf in particular was the pick of the bunch as he went on to register his career-best T20I figures of 4-22 against Australia. He immediately left an impact in his very first over by dismissing Fraser-McGurk and the skipper Inglis in quick succession inside his first over to get Pakistan into the game. And subsequently, the paceman also struck in the dying phases of Australia's innings removing David and Bartlett when they were trying to push the scoring rate. With added support from Abbas and Muqeem, the bowlers were able to pull things back and restrict Australia to a score that was certainly gettable on a track like SCG. 

It really is Haris Rauf's series 🤣 #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/I4YkA7i7Eq

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 16, 2024

What was more impressive about Rauf today was the agility he displayed on the field. Despite, bowling his heart out, Rauf was happy to throw himself around the field to make vital stops, such as the one in the above video where he made a desperate diving attempt to prevent a certain boundary for his side. 

Pakistan's poor show with the bat cost them the series

Despite a stellar show with the ball, Pakistani batters were not equal to the task tonight. The Pakistani top order failed to put up any resistance of sorts as Babar and Farhan were removed for single-digit scores while the skipper Rizwan consumed far too many deliveries to score just 16 runs at a strike rate of only 61.53. Although Usman Khan stitched a valiant stand of 58 runs with Irfan to revive the run chase. However,  his departure brought a swift downfall for the visitors as wickets kept tumbling at an alarming rate thus preventing Pakistan failed to prevail in what appeared to be a modest run chase. 

Following the defeat in Sydney, Rizwan and his men have lost the T20I series as Pakistan still searches for their elusive maiden T20I win in Australia. With the final T20I scheduled to be played in Hobart on Monday, Pakistan would hope for a much-improved performance across all departments and aim for a consolation win to conclude their memorable white-ball tour on a high.  

See also: BCCI objects to PCB’s POK plan; ICC puts Champions Trophy tour on hold

After narrowly missing out in the first ODI in Melbourne, the Men in Green roared back in form in the second ODI to hammer Australia left, right, and center at the Adelaide Oval. Haris Rauf was the demolition man for Pakistan as his fiery spell of fast bowling decimated the 2023 ODI World Cup champions for a paltry 163. The speedster bagged his best bowling figures of 5-29 against Australia and accounted for the dismissals of  Inglis, Labuschagne, Hardie, Maxwell, and Cummins.

After bamboozling Australia for such a below-par total, the chase was all too easy for the Rizwan-led Pakistan side as Ayub and Shafique smashed a century-plus opening stand for the first wicket to help Pakistan set the tone for a massive victory. In the end, Pakistan got to their required target of 164 with nine wickets and 23 overs to spare. This win was also their first win on Australian shores since 2017 and their first ever at the Adelaide Oval since 1996.

See also: Josh Inglis named as the temporary captain for the white-ball series against Pakistan

So what did Pakistan manage to achieve? 

Following their emphatic nine-wicket win in Adelaide, Pakistan have stumbled upon a prod record. The Green Shirts have left behind the likes of India and Sri Lanka to become the only Asian team with the most number of wins in ODIs against Australia in their own backyard. They have now registered 18 wins in 54 matches against the Kangaroos in their own turf. This was also their 35th ODI against Australia in this format.   

India and Sri Lanka on the other hand have only managed to secure 14 and 16 wins respectively whereas Afghanistan and Bangladesh are yet to feature in an ODI match against Australia down under. 

What does the win mean for the team?

Following their emmphatic nine-wicket win, it goes without saying that the Pakistan team was extremly elated after delivering such a ground-breaking performance against a tough Australian team. Pakistan, under the new leadership of Mohammed Rizwan found a way to play with an attacking approach which took the hosts by storm. 

Rizwan lauded the bowlers for delivering such an impressive win and expressed that such a big win gives his side the confidence to do a lot better in the coming days. 

"Obviously this win gives us confidence. We want to keep that confidence going. All bowlers had plans and they worked well."

With the series now level at 1-1, the stage is set for an intense showdown at Perth where the two sides will lock horns yet again in what appears to be an enthralling decider. 

The extraordinary might of the Australian team was crushed at the Adelaide Oval as Pakistani speedster Haris Rauf ran through the batting lineup like a hot knife through the butter. On a steamy pace-friendly wicket, Rauf extracted prodigious bounce and seam movement to trouble the Aussie batters early on. He received ample support from his pace counterpart Shaheen, who accounted for three dismissals while Naseem and Hasnain finished with one wicket apiece.

Four out of five of his dismissals featured soft dismissals that came in the form of caught behind whereas one solitary dismissal came in the form of bold dismissal. Inglis, Labuschagne, Hardie, Maxwell, and Cummins succumbed to his hostile pace bowling. His figures of 5-29 are his best-recorded ODI figures on Australian soil and on the back of such a ground-breaking performance, the Men in Green can now dream of a potential victory in this series. 

A look into Haris Rauf's obliterating bowling spell   

Out-class Spell by Haris Rauf Today #PAKvsAUS pic.twitter.com/9zKl7mAYAb

— Ahsan Shah 💙 (@parh_ly_ahsan) November 8, 2024

Inglis was the first victim to fall to Rauf's hostile bowling. He was dismissed during the 14th over when he attempted to pull a shortish delivery angling down the leg side. Haris was rewarded for this ordinary delivery as Inglis only managed to get some glove on the way making it all too easy for Rizwan to complete a simple catch behind the stumps. 

Labuschagne was the next batter to depart and he was dismissed at a very crucial time when Australia needed a partnership to stay afloat. Rauf bowled an absolute peach in the form of a seam-up delivery and Labuschagne poked at it tentatively to find the outside edge through to Rizwan behind the stumps. 

Hardie was the next victim to fall and he too succumbed in a very similar fashion as his predecessor Labuschagne during the 26th over of the match. A regulation seam-up delivery on a length deviated very late to take the outside edge of Hardie's bat which ultimately resulted in his demise on 14.

Then a big wicket of Maxwell which completely derailed Australia during the 28th over. Maxwell made a very poor choice to counter-attack Rauf for which he paid a hefty price.  Maxwell's eyes lit up after seeing a short and wide delivery outside off. He tried to take a swipe at it only to drag the ball back onto his stumps.

And then finally, Rauf delivered a final nail in the coffin by removing the skipper Cummins who could have threatened Pakistan in the dying phase of the innings. His dismissal broke the back of the Australian innings as the home side failed to put up a big score on the board.

Where does the match currently stand? 

Shaheen Afridi picked up the final wicket of the innings to clean up Australia for 163. Haris's inspirational bowling spell has given the visitors a fighting chance of getting back into the series. The Men in Green narrowly missed out in the first ODI at Melbourne but with such a relatively small target to chase, Pakistan find themselves on the cusp of a maiden ODI victory in Australia since 2017. 

See also: Low scoring Oman vs UAE ODI enters the record books

Lahore Qalandars’ pace spearhead, Haris Rauf, has been ruled out from the ninth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to an injury setback. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to closely monitor Rauf’s condition, especially with the T20 World Cup 2024 on the horizon.

Rauf sustained the injury during Lahore Qalandars’ clash against Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday, February 24. The dynamic fast bowler hurt his right shoulder in an awkward landing while attempting to grab a catch.

In a pivotal moment of the match, Rauf executed a remarkable catch at long-off to dismiss Hasan Ali. However, his landing caused discomfort to his shoulder. Subsequently, Rauf was seen exiting the field with his right shoulder wrapped in an elastic bandage.

Injury Forces Haris Rauf Out of PSL 2024

Following the incident, Haris Rauf underwent scans, revealing that he would require four to six weeks for recovery. As a result, he will be sidelined for the remainder of the PSL season due to a dislocated shoulder.

In the match, Rauf showcased a commendable performance, clinching one wicket and conceding merely 22 runs within his four-over spell. His dismissal of Shoaib Malik, who amassed 39 runs off 32 balls, including three boundaries, significantly aided his team in restricting the opposition to 143/6. Despite Rauf’s efforts, the Qalandars endured a narrow defeat, falling short by two wickets in an enthralling encounter. This defeat leaves them languishing at the bottom of the points table. Led by Shaheen Afridi, the team is yet to secure a victory in the tournament, holding a Net Run Rate of -0.557.

Shaheen Afridi Expresses Deep Sadness Over Haris Rauf’s Injury

Expressing profound sorrow over Haris Rauf’s injury, Lahore Qalandars’ captain, Shaheen Afridi, conveyed his unwavering belief in the team’s resilience in facing adversities. Afridi extended his heartfelt wishes for Rauf’s swift recovery and assured him of steadfast support during this challenging phase.

“As a team, we are deeply saddened by Haris Rauf’s injury. It was heartbreaking to witness his absence considering he has been a cornerstone of our team, and his void will be deeply felt. However, in the face of adversity, we stand united, and I am fully confident that the team will rise to the occasion,” Afridi stated, as reported by cricketpakistan.com.

“While his absence poses a setback for the franchise, he is also a key player for Pakistan, and considering the extensive cricket ahead, it was pragmatic to prioritize his recovery. We wish him a speedy recovery and eagerly await his return to the field, stronger than ever. Our thoughts and unwavering support are with him during this trying period,” he added.

Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revoked Rauf’s central contract after he withdrew from the Test series against Australia. Furthermore, the 30-year-old will be ineligible for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to compete in overseas franchise T20 leagues until June 2024.

Hailing from Rawalpindi, Rauf has played a pivotal role in the Pakistan T20 team in recent times. With appearances in 66 T20l’sthe fast bowler has scalped an impressive tally of 90 wickets for the national side.

SEE ALSO:Joe Root: The Greatest Satisfaction Comes from Hard Work

The PCB has declined the requests from Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan to participate in two additional games during the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2023-24. Despite the players’ desire for increased game time, the board prioritizes their fitness for the upcoming New Zealand T20Is, leading to the denial of the NOC extension.

PCB’s decision stems from the intention to ensure the fitness of Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, and Usama Mir for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, scheduled to commence on January 12. Earlier, the PCB had allowed some players to play up to five games in the BBL, with all Pakistan players initially slated to stay in Australia until December 28.

In response to requests from both players and franchises to extend participation in the BBL until the first week of January, the PCB has denied the extension, aligning with its focus on preparing the players for the New Zealand tour.

The T20I squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand will be led by Shaheen Afridi, who recently took over the captaincy from Babar Azam. The decision to appoint Afridi followed Babar Azam’s resignation as the team’s leader after the ICC World Cup 2023.

See Also: Hardik Pandya ruled out of the Afghanistan T20I series

Strategic NOC Denial: PCB Prioritizes Player Fitness for New Zealand T20Is amid BBL 2023-24

The squad for the T20I series includes: Shaheen Afridi (c), Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan.

Haris Rauf, who recently withdrew from the Test series against Australia citing mental fatigue, remains a crucial part of the team for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, alongside Usama Mir and Zaman Khan.

In other developments, the PCB has appointed former all-rounder Yasir Arafat as the new high-performance coach ahead of the New Zealand T20Is. Arafat’s appointment, recommended by the national team’s director Mohammad Hafeez, comes as the team faces challenges during the T20I series against Australia, with Pakistan experiencing a significant defeat in the first Test and facing difficulties in the second game. The team’s struggles in Australia add to their longstanding quest for a series win in the country for over two decades. Despite the challenges, the team aims to reverse their fortunes in the upcoming matches.

Mohammad Hafeez, recently appointed as Pakistan’s Director of Cricket, has underscored the imperative for players to prioritize national duties over commitments to franchise leagues. This stance is poised to influence central contracts, with players expected to demonstrate a commitment to representing Pakistan and participating in domestic cricket.

Hafeez’s elevation to the role of Director of Cricket is part of broader structural changes made by Pakistan in response to their underwhelming performance in the recent World Cup. Notably, Naseem Shah’s injury significantly impacted Pakistan’s bowling display, leading to fatigue concerns for key bowlers like Shaheen Shah Afridi.

See Also:Virat Kohli Set To Take Break From White-Ball Cricket,Expected to Return During IND vs SA Test Series

The Director of Cricket has been vocal about the necessity of workload management, particularly concerning limiting contracted players’ participation in numerous T20 leagues abroad. Expressing disappointment, Chief Selector Wahab Riaz highlighted the case of fast bowler Haris Rauf, who opted out of Test cricket in Australia to await a No-Objection Certificate for the Big Bash League.

Hafeez emphasized in a press conference that the priority for centrally and domestically contracted players is Pakistan, reinforcing the aim of ensuring their availability for national duty. He acknowledged the challenge of balancing international commitments, domestic responsibilities, and the allure of foreign leagues, citing past instances of fatigue and injuries during tournaments.

National Duty Takes Precedence: Mohammad Hafeez’s Directive for Player Commitment and NOC Policies

Looking ahead to the T20 World Cup, Hafeez outlined that the issuance of No-Objection Certificates for overseas leagues will hinge on national duty commitments for contracted players. The ongoing negotiations between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and players include discussions on the number of foreign leagues a player can participate in annually, with a tentative agreement of two leagues, contingent upon the issuance of an NOC.

Hafeez stressed that the NOC policy will align with Pakistan’s needs, prioritizing the fitness and availability of players for national duty. While acknowledging potential opportunities for players to participate in leagues, he emphasized that such considerations will be contingent on Pakistan’s requirements, particularly in the build-up to the T20 World Cup.

Haris Rauf’s anticipated participation in the BBL faces a potential setback as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to delay issuing the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) required for his involvement in the league. Reports from ESPNCricinfo suggest that Rauf’s NOC is likely to be delayed until at least December 11, just four days after the commencement of the BBL, with uncertainty about an immediate issuance thereafter.

The delay is attributed to Rauf’s anticipated participation in the National T20 Cup in Pakistan, scheduled until December 10.Recently appointed chief selector, Wahab Riaz, disclosed that Rauf had declined participation in Pakistan’s Test series in Australia in December-January.

The disagreement between the two stems from Rauf’s assertion that he never agreed to play Test cricket in Australia, citing his limited experience in the format and expressing a preference to focus on his white-ball game and fitness.

See Also:Cricket Crisis Leads to Dismissal of Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe

Melbourne Stars’ Dilemma: Rauf’s Potential BBL Absence

Rauf’s potential absence from the BBL is a cause for concern, especially for the Melbourne Stars, who had signed him as a key player. Initially expected to miss only during Pakistan’s T20 series in New Zealand in mid-January, further delays could disrupt the league’s plans. The Melbourne Stars had introduced special memberships and a dedicated seating zone, “House of Rauf” and Haris Rauf Bay, respectively, for the fast bowler’s anticipated participation.

Continued delays in Rauf’s NOC issuance raise broader concerns for Pakistan’s centrally contracted players, including Usama Mir (Melbourne Stars) and Zaman Khan (Sydney Thunders), both selected for the league. Ongoing contract discussions between the PCB and players have faced challenges, including disagreements over the number of foreign leagues players can participate in annually. An agreement was reportedly reached, allowing players to engage in up to two leagues, contingent on the PCB issuing an NOC for participation.