Bureau Report
Karachi: Pacer Haris Rauf will return to the Melbourne Stars squad for the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) season 10.
The 27-year-old Haris will be available to play for Stars in January. Haris inclusion in the Stars squad was confirmed after the schedule of South Africa’s tour of Pakistan was announced. The scheduling of three T20Is after two Tests paved the way for Haris to rejoin Stars.
Haris is currently in New Zealand with Pakistan’s T20I squad ahead of their series against the Black Caps later this month. Pakistan will face New Zealand in three T20Is on December 18, 20 and 22 before two Test matches, starting on December 26 and January 3.
Haris was an integral part of Stars last season where he took 20 wickets in his 10 matches, including a memorable hat trick against the Sydney Thunder at the MCG and five wickets against the Hobart Hurricanes in Moe.
“I’m very happy that I can come back to the Melbourne Stars this season and play at the MCG again,” Haris said in a statement released by Stars.
“It was an unbelievable journey last season and changed my life in so many ways. The Stars fans were very supportive of me and I can’t wait to play in front of them again. The support of all the Pakistan community in Melbourne was fantastic and hopefully we can put in some big performances this season.” he added.
Haris will be the third Pakistani to play in BBL 10 as Imad Wasim will represent Melbourne Renegades while Dilbar Hussain will play for Stars.
It must be noted that Rauf has represented Pakistan in eight T20Is and two ODIs. He made his debut against Bangladesh earlier this year at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.