Haris Rauf shone brightly in Sydney on Saturday, November 16. The fast bowler picked up four crucial wickets against Australia in the second T20 International (T20I) of the series. His efforts took him to 107 wickets in T20Is, making him the joint-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in the format. He now shares the top spot with Shadab Khan.
Decisive Contributions
Rauf dismantled Australia’s batting lineup with skill and precision. He dismissed Jake Fraser-McGurk and Josh Inglis early in the innings. Later, he returned to send Tim David and Xavier Bartlett back to the pavilion. His impressive figures of 4/22 helped Pakistan restrict Australia to 147/9.
Milestone Achieved
Rauf has reached 107 T20I wickets at an average of 20.36. His economy rate stands at 8.14 runs per over. Alongside Shadab Khan, he is one of only two Pakistani bowlers to cross the 100-wicket mark in T20Is. Shaheen Afridi, with 96 wickets, is closing in on this milestone.
Fastest to 100 Wickets for Pakistan
Rauf made history earlier this year at the T20 World Cup in New York. In a match against Canada, he claimed his 100th T20I wicket in just his 71st match. This achievement makes him the fastest Pakistani to the milestone and the fourth-fastest globally.
A Rising Star
Rauf’s journey has been remarkable. He first rose to fame playing in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) for the Melbourne Stars. His performances there earned him a spot in Pakistan’s national team. Since his debut in 2020, Rauf has been a key player for Pakistan.
Impact Across Formats
In addition to his T20I success, Rauf has made an impact in other formats. He has taken 79 wickets in 20 One-Day Internationals (ODIs). In his only Test appearance, he picked up one wicket.
Series Update
This ongoing series against Australia has been eventful for Rauf. In the rain-curtailed first match in Brisbane, he managed one wicket. His standout performance in Sydney has now positioned Pakistan to level the three-match series 1-1 with a win in this game.