Former Australian captain Michael Clarke and ex-opener Aaron Finch expressed surprise at Pakistan’s decision to leave out fast bowler Haris Rauf from the ICC T20 World Cup squad.

Both highlighted Rauf’s match-winning abilities but acknowledged squad selection depends on conditions and player roles.

In a recent program, Clarke and Finch shared their views on Rauf’s non-selection despite his impressive Big Bash League (BBL) form. Aaron Finch noted that the pace bowler brings an “X-factor” to the team but admitted he can sometimes be a bit expensive in T20 matches.

“The most important thing in T20 cricket, especially on flat pitches, is having bowlers who can take wickets in all three phases of the game,” Finch said, emphasizing the critical role of wicket-taking ability.

Michael Clarke also voiced his surprise, adding that conditions play a key role in squad formation. “Playing in Australia is different from playing in Sri Lanka and India,” Clarke said. He stressed that Rauf’s BBL role may not directly translate to subcontinental conditions, and form at the time of selection is equally crucial.

Importance of player roles

Clarke explained that the World Cup squad is built based on conditions where matches will be played and each player’s assigned role. “When selecting the squad, you aim to ensure players enter the tournament with good cricket and in good form,” he said. This implies that while Rauf’s talent is recognized, the team management prioritized other factors for the upcoming tournament in Sri Lanka and India.