BBL 2021-22: Haris Rauf set to be back with the Melbourne Stars

Pakistan paceman Haris Rauf is geared up for this third stint for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League. Rauf made his BBL debut back in the 2019-20 edition and grabbed the limelight, having picked 20 wickets from 10 matches at an economy rate of 7.06. The speedster also picked up a five-wicket haul.

In the previous edition of the BBL, Rauf picked up only one wicket from three games at an economy rate of 11.33. The pacer is fresh from playing for Pakistan in the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

The young seamer is expected to make his first appearance in the ongoing BBL edition against Brisbane Heat on Monday, December 27 at The Gabba in Brisbane.

“We can’t wait to see Haris Rauf back at the Stars. His addition brings experience, energy and quality to our fast-bowling stocks,” Stars coach David Hussey was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo.

The Stars haven’t made the best of starts in the current season of the BBL. On Sunday, December 5, the Sydney Sixers, the two-time defending champions, defeated them by 152 runs at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. Their next match is against the Sydney Thunder on Friday, December 10 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

So proud of how far this young man, says Maxwell on Haris Rauf

Rauf was one of Pakistan’s key performers in the World Cup. The pacer picked up eight wickets from six matches. He also got the Player of the Match award against Kane Williamson’s New Zealand at the Sharjah Cricket Ground.

Pakistan bowed out of the championship after losing to Australia in the semi-final. After the game in Dubai, Aussie all-rounder Glenn Maxwell posted a picture where he can be seen exchanging national jerseys with Rauf. Rauf has played under Maxwell’s leadership in the BBL.

“I’m so proud of how far this young man has come! What he has done for the @starsbbl and Pakistan cricket has been extraordinary! He is a fine human and a great teammate, and someone who I will always treasure as a friend. You are a superstar @harisraufofficial,” Maxwell wrote on his Instagram post.