New Pakistan pacer Rauf keen to make his name in T20 series

Haris Rauf wants to make a big splash in his international cricket debut.

Showing no sign of nerves days out from his first match for Pakistan, Rauf is determined to finish the Twenty20 series against Bangladesh starting on Friday as the best bowler.

Rauf was first spotted by Lahore Qalandars of the Pakistan Super League in 2017 during an open trial. The fast bowler was groomed by Cricket World Cup-winning pacer Aqib Javed at the Qalandars, and he's really made himself known in the ongoing Big Bash League.

The 26-year-old Rauf constantly bowled at more than 140 kph in Australia and took 16 wickets in seven matches for the Melbourne Stars, including a hat trick and a five-wicket haul.

That earned him selection for Pakistan's T20s against Bangladesh in Lahore on Friday, Saturday, and Monday.

"I have set a target for myself and that is to be the best bowler of the series, Rauf said.

"I have been performing well in the Big Bash League and will try to replicate that for my country."
"Whatever training I do, I try to maintain the pace. I touched 150 kph in Big Bash, but it's not in my mind. My aim is to bowl consistently at 140 kph plus."