Haris Rauf reveals his next target after earning Pakistan call-up

Pakistan’s fast-bowler Haris Rauf, in a video released by the Lahore Qalandars franchise on Saturday, revealed his target after being included into the squad for the Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Bangladesh. The pacer revealed that he would try to win the series for his country and keep his name in contention for the upcoming 2020 International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

Rauf expressed happiness at his inclusion into the Pakistan side while vowing to perform well for his country.

“I have played well in Australia and I will keep trying to perform well. Every player dreams of player for their country. I am very happy to be representing my country. My target is to help my team win this series [against Bangladesh] and I would like to perform well to keep my name in contention for the World Cup. I would like to help my country win the World Cup,” Rauf said.

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Earlier, Rauf was named in the Pakistan’s 15-member T20I squad that would take on Bangladesh at home. The announcement was made by Pakistan’s head coach-cum-chief selector Misbahul Haq, during a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday.

The fast-bowler received a call-up to the national side after a string of dazzling performances for the Melbourne Stars franchise in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL). Rauf took 16 wickets in seven matches, which include a five-wicket haul and a hat-trick, in the ongoing tournament.

Last week, Pakistan’s bowling coach Waqar Younis had revealed that Rauf’s performances in BBL had caught his interest.

“I watched him at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and was impressed by him. He possesses pace, he’s a smart bowler who is aggressive which I really like about him and I’m really glad that he has done well at the Big Bash League,” said Younis I’ve spoken to Misbahul Haq about him and we are thinking about bringing him into our pack of pace-bowlers, working with him and hopefully we can push him into the Pakistan team soon.”