Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf who was named in the PCB central contract 2021-22 list for the first time has been welcomed by his teammates and fellow pacer of Pakistan men's national cricket team, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The Rawalpindi-born Rauf was placed in category C on Friday. The 27-year-old fast bowler was in the emerging category last year. In the previous 12 months, Haris has appeared in 22 white-ball games taking 31 wickets at an average of 26.12 and an economy rate of 7.46.

“I am very happy to get this news in Derby and of course would take it as a motivation for this year,” Haris told Shaheen, in an official release issued by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Pakistan team is currently in the UK where they are scheduled to take on hosts England in a three-match ODI and as many T20I series with the One-Dayers slated to begin from 8 July at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

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The right-arm quick then talked about how the tour of England has always been challenging but the pacer believes the current bowling unit will create opportunities and trouble the English batters.

“England has always remained a challenging tour, but our bowling department is good and we will create trouble for the hosts through our bowling partnerships,” Rauf said.

After some matches being played behind closed doors across the globe owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK government has now decided to allow crowds to come to the stadiums and witness the games, the 27-year-old Rauf is both excited and anxious to perform in front of Pakistani fans in the stadium.

While the government has allowed about 80% crowds for the third England v Pakistan ODI at Edgbaston, the second ODI between the two teams at Lord’s will be played with full capacity crowds with no social distancing.

(With ANI Inputs)