A moment involving Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf went viral on social media after Lahore fans loudly rejected Qalandars Rauf ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 season. Shaheen asked the crowd if Rauf should be chosen, but received a loud response that left many stunned.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has made several major changes for the next season of the PSL, including the addition of two new teams, Hyderabad and Sialkot. Notably, the tournament will again overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the T20 World Cup will take place in February.
Fans of Lahore Qarandars publicly reject Haris Rauf after Shaheen Afridi’s demand
During a fan event at Lahore Qalandars, Shaheen Afridi asked the audience whether Haris Rauf should be picked for the team in the Pakistan Super League.
The response was immediate and loud, with fans shouting “No” in unison. The moment quickly attracted attention on social media, as Rauf’s rejection was seen by the public as a public humiliation.
Shaheen: Should we pick Rauf in LQ or not?
Fans: NO.
pic.twitter.com/Cfqv92rads-Sherry. (@CallMeSheri1_) January 15, 2026
Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf have been left out of the Pakistan squad
Pakistan recently played a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka as part of the build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup. The series was important as Pakistan will play all its World Cup matches in Sri Lanka.
Several senior players were missing from Pakistan’s 15-man squad for this series. Former captain Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan were not part of the squad.
The players are involved in the Big Bash League, for which the Pakistan Cricket Board had issued no-objection certificates before finalizing the T20I schedule. Babar represents the Sydney Sixers, Shaheen the Brisbane Heat, Haris Rauf the Melbourne Stars and Rizwan the Melbourne Renegades.
However, Shaheen Afridi has been ruled out of the BBL due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, Babar and Rizwan are still searching for form after a series of modest performances in recent outings.
Haris Rauf’s T20I form is under scrutiny ahead of the 2026 World Cup
Haris Rauf last played T20I cricket for Pakistan in September 2025 during the Asia Cup in the UAE. He has since missed Pakistan’s home series against South Africa and the entire tri-series with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
Rauf remains part of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s plans for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. However, his recent performances have raised concerns as his current impact does not match his reputation.
Rauf made his international debut in January 2020 against Bangladesh in Lahore. In his first year, he played 11 T20Is and took 16 wickets at an economy rate of 8.65. Over the next two years, including T20 World Cups in the UAE and Australia, he took 56 wickets.
However, his form has plummeted in the past two years. During this period, he conceded more than nine runs per over and failed to make a decisive impact in major tournaments such as the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup.
Also read: Pakistan women’s squads for ODI and T20I tour of South Africa announced; Fatima Sana as captain
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