Pakistan paceman Haris Rauf has signed with Adelaide Strikers for the 2026-27 Big Bash League season, joining Ben Stokes and Mark Chapman as overseas players available for the entire tournament.
The move ends Rauf’s five-season association with Melbourne Stars, where he claimed 56 wickets in 33 matches. Last season he finished as the competition’s leading wicket-taker with 20 dismissals in 11 innings.
Strikers coach Tim Paine welcomed the signing, describing Rauf as “a proven match-winner” and “one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket.”
“Strikers fans are going to love watching him steam in at Adelaide Oval,” Paine said. “Having all of our international players available for the entire tournament was a key priority throughout our off-season and we believe it will be a significant advantage for our side.”
Rauf expressed his excitement at the switch. “I can’t wait to get started with the Adelaide Strikers. Adelaide Oval is one of the great cricket venues in the world and I’ve always enjoyed playing there. The Strikers have a strong squad with world-class players like Ben Stokes, Matt Short and Mark Chapman, so I’m really excited about the opportunity to play alongside them.”
Rauf has strong memories of the ground, having taken 5 for 29 in an ODI against Australia in 2024 and 1 for 21 in a T20 World Cup match against Bangladesh in 2022.
Adelaide Strikers last lifted the BBL trophy in 2017-18 and missed the playoffs last season after finishing sixth. The new campaign begins in December, with their first match against Sydney Thunder on 16 December in Canberra.