NEW DELHI: Pakistan legend Wasim Akram has expressed concern over fast bowler Haris Rauf‘s decision to withdraw from the upcoming Test series against Australia. Akram cautioned Rauf, emphasising that if he aspires to be counted among the modern-day greats, he must embrace the challenges presented by the longest format of the game.
Rauf’s withdrawal from the squad set to face Australia in the three-match Test series resulted in the inclusion of three uncapped players – left-handed opening batter Saim Ayub, fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, and all-rounder Amir Jamal – in the 18-man squad.
“That’s his decision. He’s a contracted player, so there’s a lot of controversies back home,” Akram told reporters at an event. “There are some white-ball specialist cricketers in this day and age… if he thinks he’s not there as yet, then that’s his call.”
Rauf marked his Test debut against England in Rawalpindi in 2022. Despite maintaining a consistent presence in Pakistan’s white-ball squad, notably in T20s, he has only featured in a solitary Test match thus far.
His limited involvement—bowling only 13 overs in the match against England last year—reflects his lack of inclination towards playing the longer format since then.
“Test is a big boy’s game at the end of the day. You’ve got to bowl eight-over spells. In T20 you bowl four overs and stand at fine leg. Piece of cake. Test cricket is a long race, and if you want to be remembered as a great of the game, that’s where Test cricket comes in,” Akram added.
(With IANS Inputs)
Rauf’s withdrawal from the squad set to face Australia in the three-match Test series resulted in the inclusion of three uncapped players – left-handed opening batter Saim Ayub, fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, and all-rounder Amir Jamal – in the 18-man squad.
“That’s his decision. He’s a contracted player, so there’s a lot of controversies back home,” Akram told reporters at an event. “There are some white-ball specialist cricketers in this day and age… if he thinks he’s not there as yet, then that’s his call.”
Rauf marked his Test debut against England in Rawalpindi in 2022. Despite maintaining a consistent presence in Pakistan’s white-ball squad, notably in T20s, he has only featured in a solitary Test match thus far.
His limited involvement—bowling only 13 overs in the match against England last year—reflects his lack of inclination towards playing the longer format since then.
“Test is a big boy’s game at the end of the day. You’ve got to bowl eight-over spells. In T20 you bowl four overs and stand at fine leg. Piece of cake. Test cricket is a long race, and if you want to be remembered as a great of the game, that’s where Test cricket comes in,” Akram added.
(With IANS Inputs)
