Haris Rauf Ruled Out of MLC 2025 With Injury, Ben Lister Named Replacement; Doubtful for Bangladesh T20Is

Haris Rauf’s MLC 2025 Ends Abruptly with Injury; Pakistan Star Doubtful for Bangladesh Tour

In a significant setback for both the San Francisco Unicorns and the Pakistan national team, fast bowler Haris Rauf has been ruled out of the remainder of the Major League Cricket 2025 season due to a hamstring injury. His franchise confirmed the development on Monday, citing the severity of the injury and its impact on his tournament availability.

Rauf, who had emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the season with 17 wickets in eight matches, was a linchpin in San Francisco’s impressive campaign. His raw pace and wicket-taking ability often turned games in the Unicorns’ favor, making his absence a major blow ahead of the playoffs.

To plug the gap, the team has roped in New Zealand’s Ben Lister, a left-arm quick known for his accuracy and swing with the new ball. Lister’s inclusion offers the Unicorns some cover in the pace department, but filling Rauf’s shoes will be a tall task given the form he was in.

The timing of the injury raises concerns for Pakistan as well, with Rauf now a major doubt for their upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, starting later this month. Although the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to issue an official statement, sources close to the team suggest he will likely miss the series entirely to allow for proper rehabilitation.

Pakistan’s T20I squad is set to convene for a training camp in Karachi on July 8, with the team scheduled to fly out to Bangladesh on July 16. The three-match T20I series is set to kick off on July 20, forming part of Pakistan’s preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Rauf’s absence not only impacts Pakistan’s bowling plans but also disrupts their strategy for developing bowling rhythm and combinations ahead of a packed cricket calendar. His injury follows a string of fitness issues that have plagued Pakistan’s pace attack over the past year, making squad depth a growing concern for the team management.

For San Francisco Unicorns, the focus will now shift to adapting without their premier strike bowler. For Pakistan, eyes will remain on the medical reports and recovery timeline as they approach an important international assignment.