LAHORE – National T20 team Captain Shaheen Afridi opened up about the decision of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against termination of Haris Rauf’s central contract.
“I don’t have much to say about the PCB’s decision but the timing is such that we have a match the very next day and the decision has just been made,” said Shaheen Shah Afridi in his interaction with the media on Saturday.
Afridi said, “Haris is mentally strong, and hopefully, this won’t affect him; perhaps the PCB also realizes that the timing of the decision wasn’t right. Haris is fine; he is always ready to play for Pakistan,”.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had terminated fast bowler Haris Rauf’s central contract with the national team on Thursday.
In a statement issued by the national cricket governing body, it was said that “Fast bowler Haris Rauf has been fined by the Pakistan Cricket Board after investigations into his refusal to join Pakistan’s Test squad for the tour of Australia in 24-2023.”
The decision was made by the committee formed by the PCB after complete hearing and investigations into the matter.
All stakeholders involved in this matter were consulted during this process.
The statement further stated that Haris’s central contract was terminated from December 1, 2023, and no NOC (No Objection Certificate) would be given to play any foreign league until June 30, 2024.
The PCB administration provided Haris with the opportunity for a personal hearing on January 30, 2024, according to the principles of natural justice, and his response was found unsatisfactory.
The PCB said that playing for Pakistan is an honor and privilege for any player. It further stated that “the refusal to be part of Pakistan’s Test squad in the absence of any medical report or reasonable excuse constitutes a breach of the central contract,”.
