{"id":33464,"date":"2023-12-09T16:53:24","date_gmt":"2023-12-09T16:53:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/wasim-akram-reacts-to-haris-raufs-decision-to-snub-australia-tests\/"},"modified":"2023-12-09T16:53:24","modified_gmt":"2023-12-09T16:53:24","slug":"wasim-akram-reacts-to-haris-raufs-decision-to-snub-australia-tests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/wasim-akram-reacts-to-haris-raufs-decision-to-snub-australia-tests\/","title":{"rendered":"Wasim Akram reacts to Haris Rauf\u2019s decision to snub Australia Tests"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has reacted to speedster Haris Rauf\u2019s decision to skip the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pakistan are scheduled to play three Test matches in Australia starting mid-December. Speedster Haris Rauf, however, won\u2019t be part of the series after having withdrawn his participation citing workload and fitness concerns.<\/p>\n

Speaking to journalists at the Kayo Sports\u2019 summer of cricket launch event, Akram said that the right-arm pacer needs to play Test cricket if he wants to cement his legacy as a \u2018great\u2019.<\/p>\n

However, the former pacer acknowledged that Rauf is widely considered a white-ball specialist, pointing out that Test cricket requires a substantially heavier workload than the 20-over format.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s his decision. He\u2019s a contracted player, so there\u2019s a lot of controversies back home,\u201d Wasim Akram said, adding: \u201cThere are some white-ball specialist cricketers in this day and age and if he thinks he\u2019s not there as yet, then that\u2019s his call\u201d.<\/p>\n

Emphasising the significance of Test cricket, Akram said: \u201cTest is a big boy\u2019s game at the end of the day. You\u2019ve got to bowl eight-over spells. In T20 you bowl four overs and stand at fine leg. Piece of cake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTest cricket is a long race, and if you want to be remembered as a great of the game, that\u2019s where Test cricket comes in,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Read More: Haris Rauf, two others given NOCs for Big Bash League<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Last month, Pakistan selector Wahab Riaz claimed that Haris Rauf withdrew from the upcoming Test series<\/a> citing workload and fitness concerns and wanted to play Big Bash League cricket with the Melbourne Stars.<\/p>\n

The 30-year-old, who has only played nine first-class matches, made his Test debut against England last December, bowling 13 overs before sustaining a quad injury that ruled him out for the rest of the series.<\/p>\n

Pakistan, which has not won a Test match on Australian soil since 1995, will be led by Shan Masood following Babar Azam\u2019s resignation as captain.<\/p>\n

Shan Masood got his captaincy tenure off to a promising start, scoring an unbeaten 201 against the Prime Minister\u2019s XI at Canberra\u2019s Manuka Oval this week.<\/p>\n

Wasim Akram believes that while it will be a tough challenge for a new management and leader.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be tough, the last time Pakistan won here was 1995,\u201d said Akram. \u201cNew captain, new management. It will take some time. Ideally this is not the best tour for any young captain or your team to come into. It will be very tough for them\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n