San Francisco Unicorns have been dealt a major setback ahead of the MLC 2025 playoffs with Haris Rauf ruled out of the tournament due to a Grade 1 hamstring injury. The Pakistani speedster picked up the injury during the Unicorns’ clash against the Texas Super Kings on July 4, where he bowled just one over before limping off the field.
Injury During Clash with Texas Super Kings
The injury occurred during the Unicorns’ group-stage match against the Texas Super Kings on July 4, where Rauf bowled only one over. The incident took place while he was fielding in the eighth over of the second innings. In an effort to stop a powerful drive by Romario Shepherd, Rauf sprinted from mid-off but pulled up immediately, clutching his hamstring in visible discomfort. He left the field shortly after and did not return.
Following the match, Rauf underwent a precautionary MRI scan, which confirmed a Grade 1 hamstring strain. As per the official statement released by Major League Cricket, the injury makes him ineligible for the remainder of the tournament, including the all-important playoffs.
Leading Wicket-Taker Exits Tournament
Before his injury, Rauf was in sublime form, sitting atop the wicket-takers’ chart with 17 wickets—the joint-highest in the league. His raw pace and aggressive lengths had made him a crucial asset for the Unicorns, and his absence now creates a void that will be hard to fill, especially heading into the knockout stage of the competition.
Ben Lister Named as Replacement
To fill the gap, the Unicorns have roped in New Zealand’s left-arm seamer Ben Lister as Rauf’s replacement. Lister had already been training with the squad and was drafted into the playing XI during the final league match against the Los Angeles Knight Riders on July 6.
However, his first outing in MLC 2025 wasn’t ideal, as he conceded 43 runs in just 2.1 overs, contributing to the Unicorns’ defeat and their slip to third place on the table—costing them a top-two finish and direct qualification to the Qualifier.
Despite the shaky start, the Unicorns will be counting on Lister’s international experience and left-arm angle to provide balance in the upcoming Eliminator against MI New York, scheduled for Thursday in Dallas.
Impact on Pakistan’s T20I Squad
Rauf’s injury has further ramifications beyond MLC. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the pacer has been withdrawn from Pakistan’s T20I squad for the three-match series against Bangladesh, starting July 20, 2025. His exclusion has led to a reshuffling of the squad, which is already undergoing transitions under new white-ball coach Mike Hesson.
The injury comes at a delicate time, as Pakistan prepares its core unit for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 set to take place in India and Sri Lanka.
Unicorns Gear Up for Playoffs Without Their Strike Bowler
Despite the setback, the San Francisco Unicorns remain a strong contender in the MLC 2025 playoffs. With seven wins in ten games, they finished third in the points table and will now battle it out in the Eliminator round against MI New York.
Without Rauf, the team’s bowling unit will be under pressure to step up, and the spotlight will now be on Abbas Afridi, Wayne Parnell, and newcomer Ben Lister to deliver under high-stakes conditions.
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