In a sudden turn of events, Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) newly-named chief selector Wahab Riaz did a u-turn with his statement about the NOC given to pacer Haris Rauf. The Pakistani spearhead was earlier given an no-objection certificate by the PCB to participate in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia.
Interestingly, Wahab Riaz had initially whined about Rauf’s decision to skip the PAK vs AUS series and opt for the BBL instead on November 20. Rauf, who made his international debut in January 2020, has played 37 ODIs and 62 T20Is for Pakistan, taking 69 and 83 wickets, respectively.
Wahab Riaz’s U-turn on Haris Rauf’s NOC
Speaking at a press on Saturday as per PTI, Wahab Riaz defended the NOC given to Haris Rauf, adding that it was a part of PCB’s strategy for the pacer to remain in rhythm leading up to the T20 series against NZ. The chief selector also went on to cite the one-and-a-half-month gap between the commencement of the Australia series and then the tour to New Zealand to justify why the NOC was granted to the pacer.
“From now until the New Zealand series, there is a gap of 1.5 months during which Haris Rauf isn’t playing any cricket. His contract with Cricket Australia for the Big Bash comprises only 5 games.
“Considering the thought that there won’t be any cricket for 1.5 months and he’s a fast bowler, to ensure he maintains his rhythm, we have given him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from December 7th to 28th.
“This will cover his 5 Big Bash matches so that he can then travel with the Pakistan team for the New Zealand tour. This is the science behind giving him the NOC,” Wahab explained, as per PTI.
What Wahab had said on Nov 20
The PCB chief selector, in a press conference earlier on November 20, had said that Rauf shouldn’t have taken a step back from the PAK vs AUS series, having been a centrally contracted player. He went on to reveal that both PCB director Mohammed Hafeez had assured him that he was required by both coach and captain in the AUS series for the role of an ‘impact player’. Wahab also went to make a bold statement, saying that a player won’t be in the scheme of the board’s things if he doesn’t prioritize Pakistan first.
“Two days back he (Haris) told us he was available for the Test series and last night he said he had worries over his workload and fitness issues so he was not available,” Wahab said at the press conference on November 20.
“I and the Director of Pakistan team, Muhammad Hafeez we went and spoke to him in detail and told him that both the captain and coach wanted him (Haris) to play in Australia as he was an impact bowler and we assured him he would not bowl more than 10-12 overs in a day in Australia,” Wahab narrated.
“As a centrally contracted player we felt he should have not taken a step back. We felt Haris, if he wanted to play for Pakistan, should as a player be ready to make a sacrifice and play for the team,” the chief selector had said.
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