Wahab Riaz criticizes Haris Rauf for being ruled out of Australia Test

Karachi (ANI): Pakistan chief selector Wahab Riaz has attacked fast bowler Haris Rauf for withdrawing from the upcoming Australia Test, saying it will hurt the ‘Men in Green’.
While announcing Pakistan’s 18-member squad for the Australia tour, the chief selector revealed that Rauf had agreed to play Test cricket for the ‘Men in Green’ but later changed his mind.
“We talked to Haris Rauf for this tour. When we spoke to him two days ago, he gave his consent to play Test cricket for Pakistan. But last night he changed his mind, and now he does not want to be a part of the Test series. I am disclosing this because we must be honest with officials, teammates and the public.

We spoke to Haris and he was concerned about his body and fitness as well as his workload. Mohammad Hafeez and I sat with him and tried to facilitate him in every way,” Wahab said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. We told him that even if he doesn’t perform well there, we will still accept it.”
He said that the Pakistan cricket team physio spoke to the fast bowler and confirmed that there was no injury.
Wahab said that Rauf’s last-minute decision could harm Pakistan in the upcoming Test series.

“Our physio spoke to him and said he doesn’t expect any problems or injuries. Of course, there is fatigue, but we were sure that we could manage it very well. But he backed out at the last moment and made himself unavailable. I think this will harm Pakistan cricket.”

The newly appointed chief selector gave a stern warning to Rauf and said it was his duty to serve Pakistan as the fast bowler is a centrally contracted cricketer.

“I have played with most of these boys and I have a great relationship with them,” Wahab said. “But when it comes to professionalism, we have to look at what is best for Pakistan. Harris was unavailable after the England series and was not part of any other Test series. When you are a centrally contracted player, it is your duty to serve Pakistan. He said, “I am not disappointed, but the same players will later complain that they were not given a chance and people will ask why so and so player was not selected.”

Pakistan Test team will tour Australia for three Test matches scheduled from December 14 to January 7, 2024. Recently after the ICC World Cup 2023, Pakistani cricket has seen many changes, including the departure of Babar Azam as captain. After this Shan Masood will take command of the Test team.
Pakistan squad for Australia Test: Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Junior, Noman Ali, Saeem Ayub, Salman Ali Aga, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi. (ANI)