Lahore Qalandars’ owner Sameen Rana lashed out at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for revoking Haris Rauf’s central contract. Last month, the PCB released a statement where they left out Rauf after the fast bowler pulled out from Pakistan’s 3-match Test series against Australia.

The PCB also disallowed Rauf from taking part in overseas T20 leagues until June 30, 2024. Rana said that the national board should not have made the announcement when Rauf was preparing for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024.

“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.

‘It was pathetic’

Rana did not mince words in saying that Rauf was “publicly humiliated” and PCB was “poor” and “pathetic” in dealing with the issue.

“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,” he said.

“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,” Rana added.

Rauf’s miseries piled on after he was ruled out of the tournament due to a dislocated shoulder. During the match against Karachi Kings, he landed badly on his shoulder and later was seen with a bandage. It was learnt that it would take 5 to 6 weeks for Rauf to recover.

Rauf will now be looking to get back in shape before Pakistan’s campaign in the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA.