Haris Rauf blows away everyone’s expectations with his 5-wicket haul:

Pakistani first-class bowler Haris Rauf, who was called in as cover for Dale Steyn because of a niggling side strain, has proved everyone that he is more than capable. Dale Steyn was injured while playing for the Cape Town Blitz in the Mzansi Super League in South Africa.

England’s Pat Brown was called Steyn’s overseas replacement but the management decided to not use him in the match due to his last game being played on November 22 in the T10 League. Part of the reason was also that Pat Brown had spent the previous month in the cold winter of the UK and was not physically ready for the match. The Stars used Haris Rauf instead who had been playing club cricket for Glenorchy in Hobart as part of the Lahore Qalandars Player Development Program.

Haris Rauf claimed 5 wickets for Melbourne Stars against Hobart Hurricanes at Moe on December 22. Melbourne Stars had to defend a target of 164 runs in the 20 overs but Rauf’s 5-for brought down Hobart Hurricanes on just 111 in 16 overs. The Stars won the match by 52 runs and Rauf claimed 5 wickets for just 27 runs and was named the “Player of the Match”.

Haris Rauf’s performance against Brisbane Heat in BBL:

On December 20, Rauf made his debut for the Melbourne Stars in their game against Brisbane Heat. Brisbane Heat had to chase 168 runs in 20 overs. Haris Rauf turned out to be the most successful bowler for the Stars with his 2 wickets for 20 runs in his 4 overs.

Rauf has so far claimed 7 wickets in 2 matches in Big Bash League (BBL) with an average of 6.7 and at an exceptional economy of less than 6 per over.