Overview
- Thursday reports show Rauf took 5 for 34 for Pakistan Television in the President's Trophy and publicly said he is trying to put his name forward for the two‑Test home series against Sri Lanka in November.
- Rauf has only one Test appearance, on December 1, 2022, when he suffered a quad muscle tear during the match and has not played at Test level since.
- The 32‑year‑old has returned to four‑day and Grade‑II cricket to rebuild rhythm and work on line, length and bowling fitness as preparation for red‑ball selection.
- Pakistan's Test pace unit has been under scrutiny after 2026 tours to Bangladesh, the West Indies and England, and selectors have already trialled untested options such as uncapped Razaullah.
- Selection for the November Tests will hinge on ongoing President's Trophy form plus fitness checks, and a recall for Rauf would change Pakistan's pace options and the balance between specialist red‑ball and white‑ball fast bowlers.