Melbourne, 13 December 2025:
For Haris Rauf, the Big Bash League is more than just another T20 competition — it is the stage where his journey from obscurity to international fast bowler first gathered pace. As the 15th edition of the tournament approaches, the Melbourne Stars pacer finds himself back in familiar surroundings, eager to rekindle memories that shaped his career.
“My career started with the Big Bash,” Haris reflected ahead of the season. “When I first came here and played — especially at the MCG — I created a lot of memories. I’ve brought those memories back with me, and I’ll try to make this season as exciting as my first one.”
Discovered through Pakistan’s fast-bowling pathway and thrown into the spotlight by the BBL, Haris’ raw pace and aggressive mindset quickly caught attention. Years on, he returns as an established international cricketer, carrying experience across formats but still driven by the same hunger that defined his early days in Australia.
The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he first announced himself to a global audience, remains a special venue for the fast bowler. It is a ground that rewards pace, courage and clarity, traits Haris has built his reputation on.
This season’s Big Bash carries an added layer of intrigue with several Pakistan stars featuring across franchises, including Babar Azam, who will turn out for the Sydney Sixers. The prospect of bowling to his long-time teammate has already captured fans’ attention.
“Everybody knows that Babar Azam is a world-class player,” Haris said. “Whenever you bowl against a world-class player, it’s not easy. But I enjoy bowling against good players.”
Rather than viewing such contests as pressure moments, Haris embraces them as opportunities, challenges that sharpen skills and elevate performances. The familiarity between batter and bowler, built through years of shared dressing rooms, only adds to the spectacle.
The presence of Pakistani players has injected renewed excitement into the league, with fans in both Australia and Pakistan closely following matchups that once belonged only to international cricket. For Haris, it reinforces how far both he and Pakistan cricket have come since his first BBL appearance.
As Melbourne Stars look to make a strong push in BBL 15, Haris’ role with the ball will be central. Armed with pace, experience and a renewed sense of purpose, he enters the season determined to make an impact once again on the league that launched his career.
If the memories of his first Big Bash are anything to go by, Haris Rauf’s return promises speed, intensity and moments that could once again light up the Melbourne summer.
