From queuing up for trials to being picked for PSL: a dream comes true for Haris Rauf

KARACHI: Some 14 months ago, on a warm day of late summers, a young fast bowler travelled from Rawalpindi to Gujranwala, with a dream of playing top-level cricket via Lahore Qalandars player development program.

He proved himself to be the fastest bowler and quickly got the attention of everyone and was selected for Lahore Qalandars development squad.

Now, the same boy, known as Haris Rauf, is set to make his mark in the 4th edition of Pakistan Super League after being picked by Qalandars as supplementary player.

Rauf was Qalandars’ find in 2017 edition of player development program, since then he has travelled to Australia twice with the team, but caught everyone’s attention earlier this year when he bowled Qalandars to memorable victory in Abu Dhabi T20 Cup.

His impressive show during last few months has convinced Aqib Javed and the management of Lahore Qalandars to pick him for PSL.

For Rauf, this is dream-come-true moment.

“I can’t explain how much happy I am today to learn that I am picked for PSL,” he told Geo.tv from Australia where he’s playing grade cricket.

“I am thankful to Lahore Qalandars for the trust they have in me, especially to Sameen bhai, Atif bhai and Aaqib bhai. I had never imagined that I would be playing PSL.”

The fast bowler, before being picked by Qalandars, used to play tape-ball cricket in Rawalpindi which would help him earn some extra money as well.

Other than that, he was working for a daily wage of around 250 rupees (less than $2) per day.

“I played cricket at a very low level, I had never played proper cricket before being picked by LQ in players development program. I travelled to Gujranwala from Rawalpindi to give trials, I gave my best and got picked. Since then, Lahore Qalandars management has helped me a lot to improve,” he said, when asked about how his journey with Qalandars began.

“Qalandars have kept me with them for over a year now and it has helped me learn a lot, they brought me to Australia last year helped me earn a contract and then also took me to PSL with squad which helped me learn a lot.”

The 23-year-old pacer added that Lahore Qalandars changed his life and it can do the same wonders for any player who aspires to do well for country.

“Lahore Qalandars player development program can change your life. I was nowhere before coming to trials. But now I am happy and playing cricket and now looking forward to perform in PSL,” Haris said.

“I will try my best to make Lahore Qalandars victorious in PSL4. Lahore Qalandars will not let down its fans this time.”