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[Saba Sports News] Haris Rauf, a key figure in Pakistan’s white-ball cricket, has only played one Test match in his three-year international career. Pakistan is gearing up for a crucial three-match Test series against Australia, and Rauf was considered a potential asset due to his pace and bounce, especially on Australian pitches. However, he chose to opt out of the series, a decision that did not sit well with chief selector Wahab Riaz.
Wasim Akram, a legendary Pakistani fast bowler, shared his perspective on the matter. He highlighted the challenges and demands of Test cricket, contrasting it with the shorter T20 format. Akram emphasized the importance of Test cricket in establishing a player’s legacy in the sport.
“That’s his decision. He’s a contracted player, so there’s a lot of controversies back home. 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,” Akram commented at the Kayo Sports’ Summer of Cricket launch event. “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,” he added.
Pakistan’s team, now under the new Test captaincy of Shan Masood following Babar Azam’s step down after the ODI World Cup 2023 debacle, faces a tough challenge against Australia. Akram believes that while this tour presents a significant test for the young captain and the team, success against Australia could instill substantial confidence for future matches.
“It’ll be tough, the last time Pakistan won here was 1995. New captain, new management. It will take some time. Ideally this is not the best tour for any young captain or your team to come into. It will be very tough for them … it will be a big test. I think it’s kind of a blessing in disguise.
It’s a tough start for a new captain, but if they do well here, if they can compete with the mighty Australians, that will give them a lot of confidence for future games as well,” Akram explained.
The first Test is scheduled to start on December 12 at the Perth Stadium, with Pakistan currently engaged in a four-day warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra.