Haris Rauf has central contract revoked and NOCs refused for opting out of Australia Tests

The sanction, handed down by the Pakistan Cricket Board, comes after what the governing body describes as "a probe into his refusal to join" the country's Test tour of Australia

Nick Friend | 15/02/2024 at 12:05

Pakistan have cancelled Haris Rauf's central contract and refused him no-objection certificates (NOCs) for overseas competitions through to the end of June, accusing the fast bowler of "a material violation" of the terms of his deal.

The sanction, handed down by the Pakistan Cricket Board, comes after what the governing body describes as "a probe into his refusal to join" the country's Test tour of Australia.

He is accused of failing to respect "the ultimate honour and privilege for any sportsperson" by turning down a call from his country.

Rauf opted out, pointing to concerns over his workload and fitness – a stance that found little favour with either Wahab Riaz or Mohammad Hafeez, both recent appointments to selection and directorship roles.

"Of course there's fatigue, but we were sure we could have managed that very well," said Wahab at the time. "But he pulled out at the last moment and he made himself unavailable. I think this will hurt Pakistan cricket."

Rauf, who rejected that version of events, subsequently played four games in the Big Bash for Melbourne Stars, while Shahid Afridi also criticised the 30-year-old for his decision, saying that he "should have been part of this side".

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^{Rauf played in the Big Bash during the Test series (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)}

A hearing has since followed, conducted by a PCB committee, with the termination of Rauf's contract and the revoking of all NOCs through to June 30 both tough punishments at a time when the global game is grappling with club-vs-country debates. Pakistan already limit the number of foreign tournaments its players can feature in each year.

"The PCB management provided a chance for a personal hearing to Haris in compliance with the principles of natural justice on 30 January 2024 and his response was found unsatisfactory," said a PCB statement.

"The PCB states that playing for Pakistan is the ultimate honour and privilege for any sportsperson. Refusal to be part of Pakistan's Test squad in the absence of any medical report or justifiable reason is a material violation of the central contract."

Rauf has played for Pakistan in a T20I series against New Zealand since this row began.

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