Haris Rauf Joins Adelaide Strikers for Full BBL Season

Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has signed with Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming Big Bash League season, where he will join fellow overseas stars Ben Stokes and Mark Chapman, all of whom are set to be available for the entire tournament. Strikers coach Tim Paine described Rauf as a proven match-winner and praised his pace, competitive spirit and ability to change a game instantly. Rauf arrives after five successful BBL seasons with Melbourne Stars, including a standout campaign last season when he finished as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 20 wickets in 11 innings. Overall, he has taken 56 wickets in 33 BBL matches. Rauf said he was excited to play at Adelaide Oval and alongside players such as Stokes, Matt Short and Chapman, with the aim of helping the Strikers challenge for the title. The 32-year-old has already enjoyed success at Adelaide Oval, taking 5 for 29 against Australia in an ODI in November 2024. Adelaide Strikers, who have won the BBL only once in 2017-18, finished sixth last season and missed the playoffs. They will begin their new campaign against Sydney Thunder on December 16 in Canberra.