'He Can Be Expensive But...': Finch Surprised By PAK's Decision To Drop Haris Rauf For T20 WC

Pakistan announced their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday (January 25) but made a shocking call by dropping Haris Rauf. 32-year-old Rauf is Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is, and in the recently concluded 2025-26 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL), he topped the wicket-taker’s list. But despite that, the Rawalpindi-born fast bowler was not considered by the Pakistani selectors for the 20-team tournament in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

Pakistan’s decision to leave Rauf out of their T20 World Cup 2026 squad is shocking news for former Australian batter Aaron Finch. According to Finch, who led Australia to their maiden T20 World Cup title win in 2021, Rauf brings an X-factor, and he is a genuine

wicket-taker in all three phases of the game.

“I was really surprised when I saw that he (Rauf) wasn’t in the squad. I thought that he brings that X-factor. Yes, he can be expensive with the ball at different times, but when you’ve got a genuine wicket-taker in all three phases of the game, that’s the most important thing for me in T20 cricket, is finding a way to get wickets, particularly on some flat surfaces as well. So, yeah, I was really surprised with that,” Finch said in ESPN Cricinfo show.

Australia’s 2015 ODI World Cup-winning team captain Michael Clarke was also part of the discussion, and when asked about his opinion on Rauf’s exclusion, he echoed Finch.

According to Clarke, the current form of a player is an important factor to consider while picking a squad for a big tournament like the World Cup.

“Yeah, I agree, surprised. But, again, it’s another indication that playing in Australia is very different to playing in Sri Lanka and India. You pick your squad for conditions, where you’re going to play, and the role you’re going to play in that team. So, they obviously don’t see him playing a role like he did in the BBL, but I think form’s important as well. I think when you’re picking a World Cup squad, you’d rather have guys going into the tournament with some cricket and some good form under their belt. So, let’s see what happens,” Clarke said.