A moment involving Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf has gone viral on social media after Lahore Qalandars fans loudly rejected Rauf ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 season. Shaheen asked the crowd whether Rauf should be picked, only to be met with a loud response that left many stunned.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has introduced several significant changes for the next season of the PSL, including the addition of two new teams, Hyderabad and Sialkot. Notably, the tournament will once again overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL), as the T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in February.
Lahore Qalandars Fans Publicly Reject Haris Rauf After Shaheen Afridi’s Question
At a Lahore Qalandars fan event, Shaheen Afridi asked the crowd whether Haris Rauf should be picked for the team in the Pakistan Super League.
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The reaction was immediate and loud, with fans shouting “No” in unison. The moment quickly drew attention on social media, as the crowd’s rejection of Rauf was seen as a public humiliation.
Shaheen: Should we pick Rauf in LQ or not?
Fans: NO.
pic.twitter.com/Cfqv92rads— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) January 15, 2026
Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf Left Out of Pakistan Squad
Pakistan recently played a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka as part of their build-up to the T20 World Cup 2026. The series was important because Pakistan will play all of their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka.
Several senior players were missing from Pakistan’s 15-member squad for this series. Former captain Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and wicketkeeper-batter 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 the T20I schedule was finalized. Babar is representing 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 run of modest performances in recent outings.
Haris Rauf’s T20I Form Under Scrutiny Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Haris Rauf last played T20I cricket for Pakistan in September 2025 during the Asia Cup in the UAE. Since then, he has missed Pakistan’s home series against South Africa and the full tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
Rauf remains in 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 has not matched 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, which included T20 World Cups in the UAE and Australia, he picked up 56 wickets.
However, his form has dipped sharply in the last two years. During this period, he has conceded more than nine runs per over and failed to make decisive impacts in major tournaments such as the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup.
Also read: Pakistan Women’s squads for South Africa ODI and T20I tour announced; Fatima Sana to captain
