Haris Rauf upset with 'undue criticism' coming from all sides

• Haris Rauf believes he is not in right state of mind for Test cricket.
• Haris Rauf upset with questions on form.
• Pacer wants to focus on limited overs of cricket get ready for Tests.

ISLAMABAD: Following Chief Selector Wahab Raiz’s comments on pacer Haris Rauf’s decision to pull out of the Australia tour, the bowler is "upset over undue criticism” he has been receiving, reported The News on Friday.

The pacer is currently in Karachi for the National T20 Championship but sources close to the fast bowler told the publication that he wanted to be in the best of shape, mentally, physically, and form-wise to restart playing Test cricket.

“Look Haris is upset with those who have unleashed undue criticism on the pacers during the World Cup campaign. Even those who hardly know anything are criticising his form and raising questions about his not picking wickets regularly during World Cup matches.

What a fast bowler requires is to get mentally fit and ready for big-time cricket. Haris believes that he is not in the right state of mind physically and mentally to play Test cricket where you have to stay alert all five days,” a close family source said.

The source shared that Haris was of the view that he should focus on the shorter version of the game to get physically and mentally ready for Tests and other international commitments.

“It is just a matter of months before you see him playing all formats of the game. Currently, he wants to concentrate fully on T20 cricket.”

Earlier this week, Chief selector Wahab Riaz announced an 18-member Pakistan Test squad for the tour to Australia comprising three matches scheduled from December 14, 2023, to January 7, 2024.

Riaz, in his maiden press conference as chief selector, said Haris had assured the cricket board that he would play Test cricket for the national side, but pulled out at the last minute making himself unavailable for the series.

"It is important to inform you about this because people should have clarity about what's goining on," Riaz told journalists, highlighting that Rauf had concerns about whether he would have fitness issues if he partook in the tour.

"We have tried facilitating him in every way. Even if he failed in this tour, I was ready to accept it. Our fitness consultant told us that he [Rauf] would not have any issues moving forward."

"We could have managed the issues [...] but he pulled out at the last moment. I believe this will be a set back to Pakistan," the chief selector explained.