Haris Rauf’s journey from the bustling streets of Rawalpindi to the global cricket stage is a tale of grit, talent, and unwavering determination. Born into a modest family, he transformed from a tape-ball enthusiast into one of Pakistan’s most electrifying fast bowlers. This biography explores his early life, education, meteoric rise in cricket, personal milestones, and financial success, showcasing how hard work and family support turned an ordinary boy into an international cricket sensation.
The Fast Bowler Who Ran from Streets to Stardom
Early Life and Family
Haris Rauf was born on 7 November 1993 in Rawalpindi, a busy city in Punjab, Pakistan. His roots, however, trace back to Sharkool village in Mansehra, located in the Hazara region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He belongs to the Swati family of the Pashtun tribe, but he grew up speaking Punjabi and Urdu as well. Haris comes from a very simple and hardworking family. His father, Rauf Ahmed, worked as a welder for many years in the Pakistan Public Works Department. Some reports say he served more than twenty-five years as a government employee to support his family. His mother’s name is not widely known, as Haris has kept her away from the media, but he often speaks about her prayers and support being important in his life.
Haris is not an only child. He grew up in a big family with four brothers and one sister. One of his elder brothers is named Rizwan Rauf, who runs a small business. The names of his other brothers and his sister are not widely shared in public because the family prefers to stay private. Haris often mentions that his siblings encouraged him to keep playing cricket even when money was tight and life was not easy. The love and support of his family gave him the strength to chase his dream.
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Education and Childhood
As a child, Haris was full of energy. He first went to Islamabad Model College for Boys I-8/3 for his schooling. Like many Pakistani children, he played cricket with a tape ball in streets and grounds. Interestingly, Haris loved football as much as cricket. In fact, he once helped his school football team win a big tournament and was named the best player of the event. His teachers often said he was quick, competitive, and fearless, traits that later helped him as a fast bowler.
After school, Haris joined the International Islamic University in Islamabad and studied in an Information Technology (IT) program. He was a bright student but not from a wealthy family, so he worked part-time jobs to help his parents. He once worked at a mobile phone shop while continuing his studies. During these years he still played tape-ball cricket for fun and small cash prizes. He had no idea that this street game would one day open the door to international cricket.
Unlike most professional cricketers, Haris did not grow up in an academy or a formal cricket club. He was already in his early twenties when he started playing hard-ball cricket seriously. In 2017, when Haris was twenty-three years old, his friends convinced him to attend open trials organized by Lahore Qalandars, a Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise. At first he was not very interested because he thought he was too old to start a professional career. But he decided to give it a try.
At the trial, former Pakistan fast bowler and coach Aaqib Javed noticed his raw speed. Haris was bowling at a pace that surprised everyone. Even though he lacked proper technique, his natural speed was something special. Aaqib Javed immediately selected him for the Lahore Qalandars development program. This was the turning point in Haris’s life. From a young man playing street cricket and working at a shop, he suddenly got the chance to train under professional coaches and play with experienced players.
Career
Haris started his professional career with Lahore Qalandars in 2018. He made his T20 debut for them in the Abu Dhabi T20 Trophy in October 2018. Soon after, he was included in the team for the 2019 Pakistan Super League (PSL). Playing in the PSL gave him valuable experience and exposure to big crowds and international players.
His performances in domestic cricket were strong, and he also played first-class matches for the Northern team in Pakistan. In 2019, Haris got a life-changing offer from Australia. The Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL) needed a replacement for injured South African fast bowler Dale Steyn, and they picked Haris.
This opportunity changed everything. In his second match in the BBL, Haris shocked everyone by taking a five-wicket haul against the Hobart Hurricanes. Soon after, he made headlines by taking a hat-trick against the Sydney Thunder, becoming the first Pakistani to achieve this in the Big Bash League. He bowled deliveries touching 151 kilometers per hour, earning him the nickname “Mr. 150” because of his ability to consistently bowl over 150 km/h. Playing in Australia made him a global name and proved that Pakistan had found another genuine fast bowler.
Haris also played in other T20 leagues and county cricket in England, where he represented Yorkshire in 2022. These experiences helped him improve his skills and gain confidence against the best batsmen in the world.
Haris Rauf’s international debut came quickly after his success in leagues. He played his first T20 International for Pakistan on 24 January 2020 against Bangladesh. His pace and aggression impressed selectors and fans. Later that year, on 30 October 2020, he made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Zimbabwe. After proving himself in limited overs formats, he finally made his Test debut on 1 December 2022 against England.
Haris became known as a bowler who could deliver under pressure. He played key roles in T20 World Cups and Asia Cup matches, often bowling the crucial overs at the end of an innings. In August 2023, he achieved his first five-wicket haul in international cricket, taking 5 wickets for 18 runs against Afghanistan, a career highlight that showed his ability to win matches for Pakistan.
His journey was not without challenges. In 2024, he faced criticism when he chose to play in the Big Bash League instead of representing Pakistan in a Test series in Australia. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) briefly suspended his central contract, but after discussions, the misunderstanding was cleared and his contract was restored. Haris admitted that playing for Pakistan would always be his first priority.
Achievements and Records
Haris Rauf has achieved a lot in a short time. Some of his main achievements include:
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Taking a hat-trick in the Big Bash League, the first Pakistani to do so.
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Delivering balls consistently above 150 km/h, earning the nickname “Mr. 150.”
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Recording a match-winning five-wicket haul for Pakistan in an international match against Afghanistan in 2023.
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Rising from tape-ball cricket to become one of the fastest bowlers in international cricket within just a few years.
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Playing for top franchise teams like Lahore Qalandars, Melbourne Stars, and Yorkshire despite starting professional cricket very late.
These achievements prove his talent and hard work. His story inspires many young players in Pakistan who dream of making it big even if they start late.
Personal Life
Haris is known for being humble and close to his family. In December 2022, he married Muzna Masood Malik, a model and social media influencer who was also his classmate. The wedding was a simple but beautiful ceremony attended by close family and friends. In 2025, reports surfaced that Haris and Muzna welcomed their first child, a moment of happiness for the family.
Despite fame, Haris often speaks about the struggles his parents faced and how their prayers helped him. He enjoys spending time with his brothers and sister and often visits his hometown when he gets a break from cricket.
Net Worth and Earnings
Haris Rauf’s success on the field has also brought financial rewards. According to recent estimates in 2024 and 2025, his net worth is around 5 million US dollars. This wealth comes from several sources:
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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) central contracts and match fees for Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
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Salaries from the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he plays for Lahore Qalandars.
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Payments from international leagues like the Big Bash League and English county cricket.
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Brand endorsements and sponsorship deals with companies in Pakistan and abroad.
While exact figures may vary, it is clear that Haris has secured a comfortable financial future through cricket, a huge change from the days when he worked in shops to support his education.
The life of Haris Rauf is proof that dreams can come true if you work hard and never give up. He was once a boy playing cricket in the streets of Rawalpindi, earning small prizes from tape-ball tournaments, and studying IT to build a basic career. Today, he is one of the fastest bowlers in the world, earning millions and representing Pakistan on the biggest stages of cricket.
His journey teaches that it is never too late to follow your passion. With the love of his family, the guidance of coaches like Aaqib Javed, and his own dedication, Haris turned his life around. He continues to inspire young players in Pakistan and around the world to chase their dreams, no matter where they start.
From the narrow streets of Rawalpindi to the roaring stadiums of international cricket, Haris Rauf’s story is a shining example of how talent, hard work, and faith can turn an ordinary life into something truly extraordinary.
Conclusion
Haris Rauf’s life is more than just the story of a fast bowler; it is the story of hope, struggle, and determination. Born to a hardworking father and a loving family, he rose from the crowded streets of Rawalpindi to become one of Pakistan’s most feared and admired cricketers. He began with nothing more than a tape ball and a dream, and with each step—from college football tournaments to Lahore Qalandars trials, from shop jobs to Big Bash League hat-tricks—he proved that dedication can overcome every obstacle.
Today, Haris is not only a star of Pakistan’s pace attack but also a role model for every young person who feels they have started too late or come from too humble a background to succeed. His achievements, his financial success, and his steady character show that with hard work and the support of family, even the most unlikely dreams can come true. Haris Rauf’s journey reminds the world that greatness is not decided by where you start, but by how fiercely you keep moving toward your goal.