Haris Rauf ends MLC 2026 as tournament's expensive frontline bowler

OAKLAND: Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf endured a disappointing end to his Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 campaign as the San Francisco Unicorns were eliminated following a seven-run defeat to Washington Freedom in Eliminator 2 on Thursday.

Washington Freedom successfully defended 238-6 to book their place in the MLC 2026 final, restricting the San Francisco Unicorns to 231-6 despite captain Matthew Short's sensational unbeaten 121, as the seven-run defeat ended the Unicorns' hopes of reaching the title clash.

Rauf's difficult finish to the tournament was highlighted by two particularly expensive outings in the playoffs.

The Pakistan speedster conceded 53 runs in his four overs against the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the Qualifier on July 16, before leaking 52 runs in four wicketless overs against Washington Freedom in Eliminator 2, as the Unicorns crashed out of the tournament.

The right-arm pacer finished the competition with 10 wickets in 10 matches, but conceded 319 runs in 37 overs, leaving him with an overall economy rate of 8.62.

His campaign was marked by inconsistency. While he produced impressive spells of 3/25 against the Los Angeles Knight Riders, 2/24 and 1/13 against MI New York, and 2/27 against Washington Freedom during the league stage, he also endured several costly outings.

Apart from his two expensive playoff spells, Rauf conceded 38 runs in 2.4 overs against the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the opening week, 42 runs against Washington Freedom during the league stage, and 29 runs in 3.2 overs against the Seattle Orcas.

Those performances saw Rauf finish as the most expensive frontline bowler in MLC 2026 among bowlers who delivered at least 30 overs, with no other regular bowler conceding more runs across the tournament.

Despite Rauf's mixed individual campaign, the Unicorns enjoyed an impressive league stage, finishing at the top of the standings. 

However, back-to-back playoff defeats to the Los Angeles Knight Riders and Washington Freedom brought their bid for a maiden MLC title to an end.