ALBURY: Pakistan’s right-arm speedster Haris Rauf on Saturday, left cricket fans in splits when he rushed out to bat unequipped in the Big Bash League (BBL) fixture between Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder.
Haris Rauf, representing Melbourne Stars in the ongoing BBL 2023, found himself the centre of attention in his side’s five-wicket defeat against the Thunder when he came out to bat at No.11.
Rauf came out to bat after his teammate Mark Steketee got run out at the non-strikers’ end on the penultimate delivery. He rushed to the field in fear of getting timed out.
When Haris Rauf entered the field he did not have any safety equipment on but put on gloves and helmets on his way, barring the pads, which he left out.
Since he was not supposed to face the final delivery of the innings, the absence of the pads did not cause any trouble.
No gloves, pads or helmet on 🤣
Haris Rauf was caught by surprise at the end of the Stars innings!@KFCAustralia #BucketMoment #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/ZR9DeP8YhW
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 23, 2023
For the unversed, Haris Rauf presumably was not expecting himself to bat as Melbourne Stars were 170/6 before the commencement of the final over.
Daniel Sams, who was picked in the Platinum category by Karachi Kings in the recently-held Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 Players Draft, ran through the Stars’ batting tail.
The all-rounder picked up three wickets in the over while Steketee got run out as the Stars slipped from 170/6 to 172 all out.
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Sams led the bowling attack for the Thunder with 4/33 in his four overs, followed by Pakistan international Zaman Khan, who returned brilliant figures of 3/24.
Beau Webster top-scored for the Stars with an anchoring half-century. His 59-run knock, which came in 44 balls, featured two boundaries and as many sixes.
In response, the Thunder comfortably chased down the 173-run target for the loss of five wickets and 10 balls to spare.
Openers Alex Hales (40) and Cameron Bancroft (30) not only provided a decent platform for the pursuit but also remained the notable run-getters for the Thunder.
Beau Webster backed his gritty half-century with a four-fer but his all-round exploits went in vain.
Haris Rauf, however, went wicketless and leaked 20 runs in three overs.