Adelaide Strikers just picked up one of the most feared fast bowlers in the Big Bash. Pakistan quick Haris Rauf has signed a full-season deal for BBL|16, leaving the Melbourne Stars after five seasons and 33 games.
Rauf, 32, needs no intro to BBL fans. He arrived as Dale Steyn’s injury replacement in BBL|09 and took the league apart — a hat-trick against the Sydney Thunder at the MCG on the way to 20 wickets and Team of the Tournament honours. He won the BKT Golden Arm as the league’s leading wicket-taker in BBL|14 (18 wickets) and matched his best with 20 wickets last season. Pakistan’s second-highest T20I wicket-taker with 133 scalps is one of the quickest bowlers in world cricket.
Here’s the part Adelaide fans will love. Rauf is the third international in Tim Paine’s squad, and all three — Rauf, Ben Stokes at Adelaide and Mark Chapman’s full-season move — are locked in for the entire tournament, finals included. No two-week cameos, no mid-season exits. (cricket.com.au)
And he already owns Adelaide Oval. Two years ago he ripped through Australia there with 5-29 in an ODI, sealing Pakistan’s first ODI series win on Australian soil in 22 years. Strikers fans have seen what that pace does to their team. Now it’s doing it for them.
Why did Rauf leave the Stars?
After five seasons and 56 wickets, he chose a fresh start at a club building a title push around Stokes and Paine.
When is his first game?
Adelaide open against Sydney Thunder in Canberra on December 16 — Rauf is available from day one. See the BBL 2027 schedule for the full fixture list.
Does Rauf play the full season?
Yes. The Strikers confirmed he is contracted for the entire BBL|16 campaign, including the finals.
Last verified: 2 November 2026.