Haris Rauf Ruled Out of MLC Playoffs with Hamstring Injury, Ben Lister Named Replacement

Haris Rauf Ruled Out of MLC Playoffs with Hamstring Injury, Ben Lister Named Replacement

San Francisco Unicorns have suffered a major blow ahead of the MLC 2025 playoffs as their star fast bowler Haris Rauf has been ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury. New Zealand’s left-arm pacer Ben Lister has been named as his replacement in the squad.

Rauf sustained the injury during the Unicorns’ clash against Texas Super Kings on July 4. The pacer bowled just one over in the match before pulling up while fielding in the eighth over of the second innings. He appeared to injure himself while chasing a drive from Romario Shepherd and was seen clutching his hamstring as he left the field.

Subsequent MRI scans confirmed a Grade 1 hamstring strain, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. Rauf was in exceptional form, having claimed 17 wickets in eight games — making him the joint-highest wicket-taker in the competition at the time of his injury.

His absence is a significant setback for the Unicorns, who finished third on the points table with seven wins in ten games. They are set to face MI New York in the Eliminator on Thursday in Dallas.

Ben Lister, who had been training with the squad, made his MLC debut in the final league match against Los Angeles Knight Riders on July 6. However, the outing was tough for Lister, who conceded 43 runs in just 2.1 overs as the Unicorns fell short of a top-two finish.

Rauf’s injury also places his participation in Pakistan's upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, beginning on July 20, in serious doubt.

The San Francisco Unicorns will now look to regroup and adjust their bowling plans for the high-stakes playoff clash, hoping that Lister can step up in Rauf’s absence.

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