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BBL sensation Rauf set for Pakistan debut

3 minute read

Melbourne Stars paceman Haris Rauf has been included in Pakistan's Twenty20 squad, meaning he will miss their final game of the regular season.

HARIS RAUF.
HARIS RAUF. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

The rise and rise of BBL sensation Haris Rauf continued on Thursday, when the express paceman was included in Pakistan's squad for a Twenty20 series against Bangladesh.

Rauf was plucked from grade cricket in Tasmania at the start of the season, when Melbourne Stars were searching for a stop-gap measure to cover injured spearhead Dale Steyn on a short-term basis.

He has since established himself as one of the best bowlers in the competition, snaring 16 wickets at 11.56 while piloting Stars to the top of the table.

But the 26-year-old's stint with the Stars will be interrupted by his call-up for the T20 series, which features matches on January 24, 25 and 27 in Lahore.

Rauf, who is in line to make his international debut against Bangladesh, will miss the Stars' final game of the regular season on January 25.

The BBL finals run from January 30 until February 8.

Stars skipper Glenn Maxwell is among those to have heaped praise on Rauf, who was the club's hat-trick hero a week ago at the MCG.

"There's a few teams we haven't played, so there's still an opportunity to have that fear factor in the back of their mind before they play against us," Maxwell said.

"If he keeps taking wickets like that, they have every right to be fearful.

"Haris brings something different - an electric youth, that unknown and you're not really sure what's going to happen."

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