SAN FRANCISCO (Kashmir English): Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf has been ruled out of the remainder of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 season after suffering a hamstring injury. His team, the San Francisco Unicorns, confirmed the news, leaving fans and team officials concerned about his fitness for the upcoming international fixtures.
The team stated that Rauf sustained the injury during the ongoing tournament and will be unable to feature in the remaining fixtures. New Zealand’s Ben Lister has been named as his immediate replacement.
Haris Rauf, known for his express pace and wicket-taking ability, had been performing exceptionally well in the MLC. Before the injury, he was the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets in just 8 matches, playing a major role in the Unicorns’ campaign. His absence is a major blow to the team as they head into the final stages of the tournament.
We’re with you, Haris 🧡
The San Francisco Unicorns can confirm Haris Rauf will miss the remainder of #MLC2025 with a hamstring injury, with New Zealand pace bowler Ben Lister to replace him, effective immediately.
Read more – https://t.co/NGT3IHskij#GoCorns pic.twitter.com/Xdct1iOSCb
— San Francisco Unicorns (@SFOUnicorns) July 6, 2025
To fill the gap left by Haris Rauf, the San Francisco Unicorns have brought in New Zealand pacer Ben Lister as his replacement. While Lister brings his own skills to the squad, Rauf’s explosive bowling will surely be missed.
The injury has also cast doubt over Rauf’s availability for Pakistan’s upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. The national squad is expected to start its training camp in Karachi on July 8, with departure to Bangladesh scheduled for July 16. The first match of the three-match series is set for July 20.
Rauf’s fitness will be closely monitored by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as the team gears up for an important tour. With the T20 World Cup not far away, managing injuries to key players like Haris Rauf has become even more critical for the team’s planning and preparation.
