“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].”
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.
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.”
