'Trying to put my name forward' - Rauf hopes to fulfil Pakistan's need for speed in Tests

Haris Rauf has returned to the first-class President's Trophy Grade 1 tournament and picked up a five-wicket haul in his first appearance

Pakistan need a proper quick bowler in Tests, someone who can bowl consistently above 140kph, and Haris Rauf is hoping to fill that void. He has turned to the President's Trophy Grade 1 first-class tournament to convince the selectors that he is good enough to earn a recall in the longest format ahead of the two-match home series against Sri Lanka in November.

Rauf recorded his third five-wicket haul (5 for 34 in 13 overs) in first-class cricket in the opening round of the President's Trophy as he helped Pakistan Television (PTV) make Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) follow on before the match ended in a draw.

"There's always a purpose that is driving you when you play cricket," Rauf said in a video released by his department. "I am trying to put my name forward for the Sri Lanka series, and Pakistan is also in need [of a fast bowler]. Let's see what happens in the future as there are quite a few games to go [in the President's Trophy]."RelatedFilling out the Razaullah dream Pakistani cricketer Bingo card

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Rauf's only appearance in Test cricket was cut short by an injury. He had to be taken off the field after he rolled over the ball while fielding on day one of the Rawalpindi Test against England in December 2022. He was subsequently diagnosed with a tear in his quad muscle. He bowled only 13 overs, conceding 78 runs for Zak Crawley's wicket on a day when Pakistan were properly Bazballed - England set the record for most runs scored on the opening day of a Test when they reached 506 for 4 in 75 overs.

Rauf was removed from the list of centrally contracted players by the PCB in February 2024 following disciplinary proceedings for making himself unavailable for the three-Test tour of Australia citing workload and fitness concerns. The board also refused to grant him NOCs for overseas T20 leagues until June that year. The PCB, however, reversed their position within six weeks and Rauf had his contract reinstated.

But he has not been considered for Test cricket since. He has primarily operated as a white-ball specialist, playing ODIs and T20Is for Pakistan, and plying his trade in leagues around the world. He has played only 14 first-class matches since his debut in the format in October 2019 and has 47 wickets at 27.04, and none since October 2025 in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy before the latest appearance.Haris Rauf has been a white-ball specialist, for Pakistan and for teams in franchise T20 leagues, for a while now•Getty Images

In the current circumstances, however, the selectors would be open to taking a punt on Rauf, especially after they took the uncapped Razaullah as one of seven replacements for the last Test against England at Edgbaston earlier this month as a point of difference in an attack that operated in the 120-130kph range.

Pakistan have toured Bangladesh, West Indies, and England in 2026 for Test series and the average pace of their fast bowlers have been below that of the hosts in all three series. It is quite a decline for a country famed for quick and innovative fast bowlers.

"I played four-day cricket in the last season and spent time in Grade-II cricket before the [ODI] series against Australia as well," Rauf said. "You look to improve yourself by playing the longer format whenever you get time.

"I had time to work on myself right now with the series against Sri Lanka and England coming up so I am looking to avail it. This is the best preparation."