Former Pakistan pacer slams PCB's decision to grant Haris Rauf central contract

Former Pakistan fast bowler Sikandar Bakht has strongly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) recent decision to award pacer Haris Rauf a central contract. 

Bakht's comments come in the wake of Rauf's controversial handling of his commitment to Test cricket and his participation in T20 leagues.

Rauf, who had previously refused to tour Australia for a Test series earlier this year, had his contract terminated. Despite this, his contract was reinstated, allowing him to feature in the T20 World Cup 2024.

While speaking with a local news channel, the former pacer expressed his astonishment at the PCB's decision to grant Rauf a central contract. 

"I am shocked that Haris Rauf has been given a central contract by the PCB when the player has rejected playing Test cricket for the country," Bakht said.

"You can give central contract but make sure it is only 10% of the current amount because he does not play the real format of the game and only bowl 4 overs in a game (T20s)," he added.

Bakht raised concerns about whether Pakistani players today truly take pride in representing their country. He suggested that the growth of T20 leagues may be distracting them from their commitment to the national team. 

Additionally, he argued that players who are not performing should not receive NOC approval to compete in overseas T20 leagues.

"Why did PCB give NOC to such players, do they deserve it? Why did you give NOC to them when they are performing poorly for Pakistan? You shouldn't have given the approval."

"These players don't care about performing well for Pakistan and you have given NOC to all of them. How will they care now, they will not be worried about their place in the team. You need to create a system with accountability."

"Now these players like Rauf make money by playing foreign T20 competitions like Caribbean Premier League."

Rauf, along with four other Pakistani players, was granted NOC to participate in various T20 leagues, including the Major Cricket League 2024 in the USA and the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 in the West Indies.