Lahore Qalandars' Owner Slams PCB For Terminating Rauf's Central Contract

Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars' owner, Sameen Rana lashed out at the Pakistan Cricket Board for announcing the termination of pacer Haris Rauf's contract, just two days before the T20 tournament. PCB terminated the central contract of Haris Rauf in a disciplinary action for pulling out of the Test series in Australia. Rauf is currently ruled out of the ongoing PSL after he dislocated his shoulder during a match. As per the medical staff, the star pacer will at least take a month's time to recover from the injury. 

Rana stated that the timing was PCB's announcement was not good as it left a deep effect on the psychology of Rauf.

"The timing of that announcement was wholly unnecessary. There was no Pakistan series coming up, or any emergency situation that necessitated the announcement two days before the PSL. Whatever the logic was, the timing was really bad. It was a huge blow psychologically for him, because his whole life's main aim is playing for Pakistan," Rana told ESPNCricinfo. 

He went to term PCB's treatment of Rauf "pathetic" and called it a "poor management" from the country's cricket board. 

"Rauf's our premier bowler, our highest wicket-taker after Shaheen Afridi. To publicly humiliate him and issue a press release announcing the termination of his central contract, I have never seen this happen anywhere," Rana said.

"I would never treat my employees like that. The employee at least has the right for you to call, email or message them. None of that happened with Rauf, and it was pathetic. It was really poor management," he added. 

Following the injury, the 30-year-old has been ruled out of the PSL season and could also miss out on the upcoming World Cup, which is slated to begin on June 2.

Rauf's latest setback could hinder Pakistan's preparations for the upcoming tournament in the Caribbean as they look to seal their constantly changing frontline pacers ahead of the tournament.

(With ANI Inputs)