Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf contemplated retirement

According to a media source, Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf contemplated retiring from international cricket at the end of the previous year following backlash against him for choosing not to play in the Test series against Australia. A Pakistani media site claims that Rauf was so discouraged by the criticism that he briefly considered retiring abroad. However, he changed his mind after consulting with his friends and family. Prior to Pakistan's three-Test series against Australia, Rauf faced backlash after it was made public that he had withdrawn from the tour following a conversation with team director Mohammad Hafeez and senior selector Wahab Riaz.

While Riaz said that Rauf had committed to being available for the Tests but then withdrew, another report, citing a person close to the right-arm pacer, stated that he never committed to playing.