'I hope Haris Rauf can play 100 Tests, 400 T20Is and 150 ODIs for Pakistan' - David Hussey

It has been quite a few surreal months for the newest Pakistan teenage sensation Haris Rauf. The tearaway Pakistan bolter shot into limelight after he replaced the injured great fast bowler Dale Steyn for the Melbourne Stars at the start of the Big Bash League. Haris is quick. He is a bolter who can constantly bowl at 150 clicks and proceed to get into the head of the batsman with sheer pace, venom, and hostility.

Rauf recently made his international debut during the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh where he claimed two wickets in as many games. Rauf is now set to make his trip back to Melbourne to join his side- the Melbourne Stars,- as they prepare for the qualifying final against Sydney Sixers.

“Haris Rauf will be returning to Melbourne on January 28 to feature in the remaining BBL matches for his side,” the spokesperson said to cricket.com.au. Rauf’s inclusion in the squad has proceeded to bolster the table-toppers bowling unit which has been mired by the absence of proven overseas internationals like Sandeep Lamichhane, and coach David Hussey is pretty chuffed about it. He even has a wish for Haris.

“Whatever he does, I hope he actually represents Pakistan for 100 Tests and 400 T20Is and 150 one day internationals. He’s brought a different dynamic to our group, he’s tried every game he’s played, he fields his butt off and he’s just fitted in the group perfectly,” Hussey said after their 71-run defeat to the Brisbane Heat at the MCG on Saturday.

Haris Rauf set to spearhead Melbourne Stars’ bowling attack in the playoffs

Haris Rauf, who is currently the fifth-highest wicket-taker [16 wickets in 7 games at 11.56] in the BBL, is a big fan of former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn, and he revealed how excited he was at the prospect of sharing the same dressing room with his idol.

“I was extremely delighted to know that I was going to play with Dale Steyn as he is my idol,” he told PCB. “Sharing the dressing room with him helped me a great deal as I got to work on my outswing with him. We had a couple of net sessions in which he taught me how to control it.”

“But there was no pressure. In fact, it was a proud moment for me that I was replacing my idol. I wanted to fill in his shoes and bring out the performances which the team had expected from him.” Rauf added.

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