Daily Times

Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf has apologised for his cut-throat celebration, after taking a wicket, during the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL). According to details, Lahore Qalandars’ head coach Aaqib Javed scolded the pacer, during a telephone conversation, over the indecent celebration, which made the latter apologise and agree to observing restraint in this regard during future matches. Earlier, Rauf’s wicket celebrations, during the Melbourne Stars clash against Sydney Thundey, on Thursday in the BBL had sparked outrage among fans. Rauf’s bowling was instrumental in restricting Thunder to 142-7 as the pacer finished with 3-24, taking his tournament’s tally to ten wickets in three games. However, after taking each of his three wickets, the right-arm pacer made a throat-slitting gesture which didn’t sit well with some viewers.

The Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars have played a major role in the development of the 26-year-old pacer, who was formerly a salesman and IT student from Rawalpindi. “Haris apologised for his inappropriate celebration after I told him that such a thing is against the moral code observed by the Qalandars,” Javed was quoted as saying. “He also vowed to observe restraint in this regard during future matches.”

Rauf grabbed the headlines with his sensational fast-bowling, 10 wickets at an average of 7.1, despite playing only three games out of a possible five in the ongoing BBL. The quick right-armer was added to the Stars squad in place of Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, for their match against Sydney Thunder on Thursday, who was rested due to an injury. It must be noted that the 26-year-old pacer was earlier removed from the Stars’ contingent after the arrival of South Africa’s fast-bowler Dale Steyn, despite a dream start to the tournament – which saw him pick seven wickets in two games including a five-wicket haul.