Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf is set to return to domestic red-ball cricket, representing Pakistan Television (PTV) in the 2026-27 President’s Trophy Grade-I competition. The tournament begins on September 12, 2026, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) launches the new domestic season. Rauf’s inclusion is one of the notable developments in a competition featuring several Pakistan internationals. His return comes after a period in which his cricket has largely focused on limited-overs formats, making the move significant for fans interested in his future in longer-format cricket.
What Happened to Haris Rauf?
The PCB’s domestic season announcement confirmed that Haris Rauf will represent Pakistan Television in the President’s Trophy Grade-I tournament. The eight-team departmental competition will feature 28 four-day matches, with each team playing seven league games. The top two sides will qualify for a five-day final. The tournament is scheduled to run from September 12 to October 28, 2026.
Rauf’s inclusion gives him an opportunity to compete in the longer format of the game under domestic conditions. Although he has established himself as one of Pakistan’s prominent white-ball fast bowlers, his first-class cricket experience has been limited in recent years. The domestic tournament could provide a useful platform for him to develop his bowling workload and match fitness in four-day cricket. However, the PCB announcement does not confirm any immediate return to Pakistan’s Test squad.
Haris Rauf’s Team and Tournament Details
The President’s Trophy Grade-I is a major part of Pakistan’s domestic red-ball structure. It brings together departmental teams in a four-day competition designed to provide competitive cricket for established players and emerging talent.
Here are the confirmed details of Rauf’s domestic return:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Haris Rauf |
| Team | Pakistan Television (PTV) |
| Competition | President’s Trophy Grade-I |
| Format | Four-day first-class cricket |
| Tournament start | September 12, 2026 |
| Tournament end | October 28, 2026 |
| Number of teams | Eight |
| League matches | 28 |
| Final | Five days |
The tournament will be played across venues in Peshawar, Abbottabad, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Its schedule provides Rauf with a chance to play competitive domestic cricket while remaining part of Pakistan’s wider cricketing system.
Why This Matters for Haris Rauf
Haris Rauf has built his reputation through fast bowling in limited-overs cricket, particularly in T20 internationals. His pace and ability to bowl at the death have made him a valuable part of Pakistan’s white-ball setup. However, the demands of four-day cricket are different, requiring bowlers to maintain their pace, accuracy and physical condition over longer spells.
A return to first-class cricket can help Rauf work on these aspects of his game. It also gives him the chance to gain experience with the red ball, which behaves differently from the white ball used in limited-overs cricket. The domestic competition may therefore offer a useful environment for him to strengthen his skills in a longer format.
It is important, however, not to treat this selection as confirmation that Rauf will return to Test cricket. The available announcement only establishes his participation in the President’s Trophy. His future international role will depend on his performances, fitness and the selectors’ decisions.
What We Know About His Recent Cricket Activities
Rauf has remained involved in Pakistan cricket during September 2026. On September 9, he participated in a PCB Talent Hunt Programme for Schools coaching clinic at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. The session also featured Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz, who mentored young cricketers from Star School.
During the coaching clinic, Rauf worked with young fast bowlers, sharing guidance on pace bowling and observing their techniques. The event was part of the PCB’s second school cricket programme, which involves training and preparation camps for 1,400 schools across 100 districts. The tournament is scheduled to begin on September 19, with the opening match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The coaching appearance highlights Rauf’s continuing involvement in Pakistan’s cricket development activities. His participation in the President’s Trophy now adds a competitive domestic assignment to his recent cricket engagements.
Haris Rauf’s Previous Red-Ball Cricket Background
Haris Rauf is best known for his performances in white-ball cricket. Since making his international debut in 2020, he has gained recognition for his speed, aggressive bowling and strong performances in T20 matches.
His experience in first-class cricket is more limited than his international career. Before joining the 2026-27 President’s Trophy, Rauf last played domestic red-ball cricket in the 2019-20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. He represented Northern against Southern Punjab in October 2019.
His return is important because he has spent several years away from first-class cricket. Playing longer matches will give Rauf a chance to build his bowling workload, improve his red-ball skills and test his consistency over several days. The tournament also provides an opportunity to assess his readiness for the demands of longer-format cricket.
What Happens Next for Haris Rauf?
Haris Rauf’s next confirmed assignment is the President’s Trophy Grade-I competition with Pakistan Television. The tournament begins on September 12 and will continue through October 28, giving participating players a sustained period of domestic cricket.
The PCB has not announced any immediate Test selection for Rauf in connection with this tournament. His performances in domestic cricket may nevertheless become relevant to future selection discussions, particularly if he demonstrates the fitness and consistency required for longer-format cricket.
For now, the confirmed development is that Rauf is returning to first-class domestic cricket. Any future international selection should be assessed separately and should not be assumed from his inclusion in the President’s Trophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Haris Rauf returning to Test cricket?
Haris Rauf has been selected for Pakistan Television in the 2026-27 President’s Trophy Grade-I competition. This confirms his return to domestic red-ball cricket, but it does not confirm a return to Pakistan’s Test squad. Any international selection will depend on future decisions by the PCB and national selectors.
Which team will Haris Rauf play for in the President’s Trophy?
Haris Rauf will represent Pakistan Television, commonly known as PTV, in the 2026-27 President’s Trophy Grade-I tournament. The competition is part of Pakistan’s domestic first-class cricket structure and begins on September 12, 2026.
When will Haris Rauf’s domestic red-ball cricket return begin?
Haris Rauf’s return to domestic red-ball cricket is scheduled to begin with the 2026-27 President’s Trophy Grade-I on September 12, 2026. He is part of the Pakistan Television (PTV) squad for the tournament, which will run until October 28. His participation in individual matches will depend on the team’s playing XI and selection decisions.
When did Haris Rauf last play first-class cricket?
Rauf’s most recent confirmed domestic first-class appearance was in the 2019-20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, when he played for Northern against Southern Punjab in October 2019. His inclusion in the 2026-27 President’s Trophy marks a return to domestic red-ball cricket after several years.
What is Haris Rauf’s latest cricket news?
The latest confirmed development is his selection for Pakistan Television in the 2026-27 President’s Trophy Grade-I tournament. On September 9, he also participated in a PCB coaching clinic at the National Cricket Academy, where he mentored young fast bowlers.
Conclusion
Haris Rauf’s return to domestic red-ball cricket is an important development in Pakistan’s 2026-27 cricket season. His selection for Pakistan Television in the President’s Trophy gives him an opportunity to compete in four-day cricket after several years away from the first-class format. The move is relevant to his development as a fast bowler, but it should not be interpreted as an automatic return to Test cricket. For now, Rauf’s confirmed focus is domestic competition, where his performances and fitness will be worth following as Pakistan’s new red-ball season gets underway.
