Fast bowler Haris Rauf is likely to miss Pakistan's 15-member squad for the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup, reports confirmed Monday, despite taking 18 wickets in nine Big Bash League (BBL) matches this season.

 

Team coach Mike Hesson reportedly opposes Rauf's inclusion following the Asia Cup final, where the pacer's death-over struggles proved costly. 

 

The most damaging blow came in the 2025 Asia Cup final against India. With India needing 10 runs in the final over, Rauf conceded the runs in just four balls, finishing with figures of 50 runs in four overs without a wicket.

 

A pattern of high-pressure failures appears to have sealed his fate. During the 2024 T20 World Cup, Rauf could not defend 15 runs in the final over against the United States, forcing a Super Over that Pakistan ultimately lost in one of the tournament's biggest upsets.

 

In the 2022 T20 World Cup against India, Rauf bowled the 19th over with Pakistan defending 28 runs off eight balls. Virat Kohli hit two consecutive sixes off the final two deliveries, turning the match in India's favor.

 

Most recently, Rauf failed to defend 10 runs in the final over against Brisbane Heat in the ongoing BBL.

 

Pakistan hopes to begin their T20 World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo.