PCB Terminates Haris Rauf Contract, Learn Reason Behind Decision

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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday (February 15) terminated the central contract of pace bowler Haris Rauf over his decision not to join the national team for the recent Test series in Australia. The decision was taken following a probe by PCB into the matter.

Haris Rauf reasoned back in December that he wouldn't be able to play for Pakistan in the Test team as he wasn't fit enough to play the red-ball format following the debacle in the ODI World Cup in India. Rauf was the second-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan but received flak for leaking runs.

Apart from the termination of the central contract came with a double jolt as the PCB stated that Haris Rauf won't be granted any objective certificate to play in any franchise league abroad until June.

"After a thorough hearing process conducted by a PCB committee and taking into consideration the views of all stakeholders involved in the matter, Haris' central contract has been terminated from December 1, 2023, and no NOC (No objection certificate) to play any foreign league will be granted up to June 30, 2024," PCB said in a statement.

PCB reasoned that their committee gave the 30-year-old fast bowler to present his case for skipping the Test series but found his response to be unsatisfactory, adding that it's an honour and privilege to play for the national team and refuse to play without a valid reason amounts to contract violation.

"The PCB management provided a chance for a personal hearing to Haris in compliance with the principles of natural justice on 30 January 2024 and his response was found unsatisfactory," stated PCB. "The PCB states that playing for Pakistan is the ultimate honour and privilege for any sportsperson. Refusal to be part of Pakistan's Test squad in the absence of any medical report or justifiable reason is a material violation of the central contract."