Haris Rauf, one of Pakistan’s biggest match-winners in T20 cricket, is now in danger of missing the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The troubles for Haris Rauf started in the Asia Cup 2025 final against India. It became a very difficult night for him as Tilak Verma attacked him strongly.
Rauf gave away 50 runs in just 3.4 overs and Pakistan lost the final by five wickets. That one spell proved too costly and soon after, Rauf was dropped from the team despite taking 133 wickets in 95 matches for Pakistan in this format and being their preferred bowler in the death overs.
Asia Cup 2025 nightmare may cost Haris Rauf a place in ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Now, reports claim that Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson does not want Rauf in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad after that performance in Dubai. This puts Rauf’s future with the national team in doubt, even though his overall record remains strong.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet officially announced the final squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. However, it is believed that a list of probable players has already been submitted to the ICC.
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That list includes Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Usman Khan, Khawaja Nafe, Salman Ali Aga, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza and Usman Tariq.
While former captain Babar Azam managed to cement his place, both Rizwan and Rauf failed to make the cut for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 despite their ongoing excellent form. However, despite the disappointment, the 31-year-old fast bowler has decided not to give up.
Haris Rauf sends best wishes to Pakistan despite failure
The Rawalpindi fast bowler admitted that he would be disappointed if he does not get a place in the team, but he will continue to focus on improving his game and try to improve himself as a cricketer. Rauf made it clear that being out of the T20 World Cup does not mean the end of his career.
Rauf also stressed that his performances have already improved since the Asia Cup 2025 and believes he is moving in the right direction. The star pacer also wished the Pakistan team all the best for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
“Of course, there is disappointment because I was not selected in the T20 World Cup squad. But my career will not end. I will keep working hard and focus more on my bowling,” Geo News quoted Haris Rauf as saying.
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Haris Rauf breaks silence on criticism, says it is the most difficult task of modern cricket
Haris Rauf also told about the criticism faced by the players after the defeat. The Pakistani bowler pointed out that there is a clear difference between constructive criticism and personal abuse, adding that players and every member of the team give their best whenever they wear the national jersey, so defeat impacts them more than anyone else.
Rauf also acknowledged the brutal demands of bowling in the death overs and described it as one of the toughest tasks in modern cricket. With very little margin for error, he admits that it is always a big challenge, but he is determined to master this area.
“My job is to take wickets, not just stop runs. I can also bowl defensively, but people need to understand my role. Bowling the last overs is the toughest,” he said.
