Proud parents: Haris Rauf welcomes baby boy with wife

WEB DESK: Fast bowler Haris Rauf and his wife, Muzna Masood Malik, joyfully welcomed their first child, a precious baby boy.

The heart-warming news were shared by the bowler’s fellow cricketers, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan, who took to social media to express their excitement and congratulated the couple.

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In a heartfelt post on image-sharing platform, Instagram, Shaheen Afridi celebrated the occasion with a warm message: Congratulations to my brother[,] Haris Rauf[,] on the birth of his baby boy”.

The fellow fast-bowler wished the new parents endless happiness, and prayed for Allah’s blessings to shower on them.

Similarly, Shadab Khan joined in the festivities, extending his warm wishes with a sweet note: Wishing health, happiness and prosperity for the little one and the family. May Allah bless you.

Naseem Shah added his voice to the chorus of well-wishers, as well. He expressed his hopes for the endless joy, love and precious moments for the new family.

The couple’s choice to maintain a low profile regarding their personal life has not dampened the excitement surrounding a huge millstone, as friends and fans alike celebrate the joyous occasion on their behalf.   

The couple tied the knot in a quaint ceremony in December 2022, held in the picturesque Islamabad. Since then, they have embraced a serene married life, and the arrival of their first child marks a new chapter in their journey together.

Rauf’s cricketing journey is as inspiring as his personal life. He began playing tape-ball cricket and quickly captured the attention of selectors. He earned a spot with the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The fast bowler’s stellar performance in the PSL opened doors for him to represent the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL).

The 31-year-old made his T20 International debut for Pakistan in 2020, and since then, he has blossomed into a key player for the national team.

Rauf has amassed an impressive 85 wickets in 48 one-day internationals (ODI). And when it comes to his T20 statistics, Rauf has consistently showcased his exceptional bowling skills across various tournaments. In his Hundred Men’s Competition, he played 12 matches, claiming 16 wickets with a standout best bowling figure of 3/20.

His performance in the PSL has been particularly good, where he has taken 66 wickets in 57 matches, boasting an impressive average of 29.54.

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The fast bowler’s ability to deliver under pressure has made him a valuable asset to every team he represents, and his journey will continue to be as good.