Glenorchy proud of Rauf’s fast rise

IT’S NO SURPRISE TO US [LOSING RAUF TO PAKISTAN DUTIES]. IT’S FANTASTIC FOR HARIS. WE WOULD HAVE LOVED TO KEEP HIM IN HOBART. WE HAD PLANNED TO HAVE HIM FOR ANOTHER MONTH.

— GLENORCHY DIRECTOR OF CRICKET SIMON STEBBINGS

THE meteoric rise of Glenorchy’s import fast bowler Haris Rauf from the CTPL to hat-trick hero for the Melbourne Stars in the BBL, and now to the Pakistan national team came as no surprise, says Magpies’ director of cricket Simon Stebbings.

The Glenorchy and Stars express bowler was snapped up by Pakistan for its 16-man squad announced yesterday to play a three-game T20 series against Bangladesh starting next week.

Rauf, who bowls at 150km/h, was plucked from Glenorchy by the Stars after he skittled Clarence in Hobart first grade, his 4-12 including Hobart Hurricanes star D’Arcy Short.

“It’s no surprise to us,” Stebbings said. “It’s fantastic for Haris. We would have loved to keep him in Hobart. We had planned to have him for another month.

“We’re always trying to get our players to the next level, so for us it’s exciting and a little disappointing to lose such a great cricketer. Normally you’re looking to promote your local cricketers, and … there’s a sense of pride to be able to provide that opportunity.”

Rauf came to Glenorchy’s notice because of the Magpies’ connection to his club Lahore Qalandars in Pakistan “He played grade cricket in Sydney last year and this year we got him to Hobart,” Stebbings said. “For two years we’ve had players from Qalandars play with us — two last season and another guy this season.”

With Pakistan national duties, BBL finals and then Pakistan Super League, Rauf will not be back to play for Glenorchy. “We will definitely try to bring him back next season,” Stebbings said.

Round 16 of the CTPL consists of one-day games between Glenorchy and Clarence at KGV, Greater Northern and South Hobart-Sandy Bay at West Park, University and Kingborough at Uni Oval, and New Town is at home to North Hobart.