Pakistan Cricket Board terminate pacer Haris Rauf's central contract after failure to tour Australia

Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf’s central contract was on Thursday terminated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for his failure to tour Australia when Pakistan visited the country for a three-match Test series in December last year. The PCB also said that Rauf would be denied a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to take part in any foreign leagues till 30 June later this year.

As a result of Rauf’s absence, Pakistan travelled to Australia with an inexperienced pace attack courtesy an injury to Naseem Shah as well. Pakistan ended up losing the series 0-3.

“Fast bowler Haris Rauf has been penalised by Pakistan Cricket Board, following a probe into his refusal to join Pakistan’s Test squad for the tour of Australia 2023-24,” the PCB said in a statement.

“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.”

The PCB said its management provided Haris a chance for a personal hearing in compliance with the principles of natural justice on January 30 and his response was found unsatisfactory. “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,” the Board said.

Players with central contracts in category B like Haris get paid a monthly salary of around 4.6 million, besides match fees, allowances and other eligible bonuses.

Pakistan’s three-match Test tour of Australia happened between December 18, 2023 and January 7, 2024. Pakistan lost all the three Tests. Chief selector Wahab Riaz had told a press conference before the tour to Australia in December last that Haris, after initially making himself available for the Tests, had pulled out, citing work management and fitness issues.

At the same time the national team was engaged in the three Tests against Australia, Haris appeared in the Big Bash League. The PCB, however, did allow his selection in the T20 squad for the subsequent series in New Zealand.

With PTI inputs