Karachi: Melbourne Stars have confirmed that pacer Haris Rauf won’t be available for Big Bash League (BBL) season 10 due to international commitments.
The 27-year-old Haris has now become an integral part of Pakistan’s limited-overs team. Green Shirts are scheduled to play New Zealand and is also expected to take on South Africa in January 2021.
Stars General Manager Nick Cummins expressed that the franchise is delighted to see Haris continues to strive at the international level after he was one of the success stories following his brilliant performances in BBL last year.
“While we’ll miss his raw pace and energy, Haris is one of the BBL’s recent success stories,” Nick said.
“His time with the Melbourne Star fundamentally changed the direction of his career and we’re delighted to see that success continue at international level,” he added.
Unfortunately due to International commitments, Haris Rauf will be unavailable this summer.
You’ll always be welcome at #TeamGreen, @HarisRauf14 💚 pic.twitter.com/NVRZYwnNoz
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) November 12, 2020
Haris picked 20 wickets in 10 matches at an economy rate of 7.06. His major performances included a hat-trick against Sydney Sixers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and a five-wicket haul against Hobart Hurricanes.
Meanwhile, Stars have signed West Indies’ hard-hitting batsman Nicholas Pooran. The 25-year-old has played 25 ODIs and 21 T20Is and is considered as one of the destructive batters in this format.
One of the brightest young prospects in T20 cricket 🌴
Nicholas Pooran joins #TeamGreen 💚
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) November 11, 2020
He is part of West Indies’ T20 squad to face New Zealand and will be available for six matches across December and early January.