Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan both have been among the top performers for Pakistan in the past half a decade. They have been consistent starters for the national side. Haris Rauf, known for his stellar pace, is the go-to bowler for Pakistan in the short formats. Shadab Khan came onto the scene in 2017 and has taken wickets and added vital runs regularly. His all-round abilities are reliable as he can take the game away from the opposition in both dynamics. Both of them have contributed majorly in the Pakistan cricket team’s success.
This article offers a comprehensive comparison of their careers, performances, and impact across formats.
Haris Rauf & Shadab Khan Career Overview
Haris Rauf
Haris Rauf’s cricketing journey has been a memorable fairytale. Haris Rauf started off by playing tape-ball cricket in the local regions. He was then discovered by Lahore Qalanders in a talent hunt program that they launched. It proved fruitful for Haris Rauf as he clinched that opportunity and is now a Pakistani star. He made his T20I debut in January 2020 against Bangladesh. It was a monumental achievement for him at the time.
His scintillating pace and unrivalled aggression made him make a spot in the global stage. His yorkers and change of pace brought the national side vital wins. Haris Rauf was a key bowler for Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He has played for leagues across the globe. He is the main stalwart bowler for Lahore Qalanders and has taken part in the BBL.
Shadab Khan
Shadab Khan came into the spot-light in the Pakistan Super League. His successful campaign earned him a place in the national side. Shadab debuted in March 2017 in T20Is and ODIs both and hasn’t looked back since. His deceptive leg-spin coupled with deadly googlies made him a major threat for the opposition. He played a key role in the 2017 Champions Trophy win. His wicket of Yuvraj Singh was a moment of brilliance in his career.
Shadab Khan has also captained the green flags in T20Is showing the level of trust the board has in him. He has played in many leagues like PSL, CPL and BBL. He has been successful in these leagues and is in much demand. His sharp fielding is also a part of the arsenal of cricketing brilliance that he has.
Haris Rauf vs. Shadab Khan Performance Breakdown
We will now look into how these two stars compare with each other on the field. We will take into account their bowling, batting and the fielding performances uptill now.
Batting Stats Comparison
Haris Rauf
He is not known for his batting prowess much. He has hit some big sixes coming late in the innings. He mostly plays at No. 10 or 11 and rarely gets to bat long.
ODI Matches: 50
- Runs: 105
- Top score: 35
- Batting Average: Around 7.50
T20I Matches: 83
- Runs: 100
- Top score: 13*
- Batting Average: Around 7.14
Batting average is low in all formats and believably so. He has played some useful cameos but is not a regular contributor with the bat. His primary job remains bowling.
Shadab Khan
He is a useful lower-order batter. His all-round abilities have helped Pakistan numerous times. He can hit big and rotate strike under pressure. Shadab Khan often comes in at No. 6 or 7 depending on the situation.
ODI Matches: 70
- Runs: 855
- Average: 25.90
- Best: 86
- Fifties: 4
T20I Matches: 109
- Runs: 737
- Average: 17.54
- Best: 52
- Fifties: 1
He has scored 4 fifties in ODIs, making him a decent finisher in the team. His batting continues to improve with experience
Bowling Stats Comparison
Haris Rauf
Haris Rauf’s pace and aggression have been brilliant which enables him to dismantle top players. He bowls at high speeds and can touch 150+ km/h regularly. Haris is known for his deadly yorkers and bouncers. He is also very effective on flat tracks and during slog overs.
ODI Wickets: 88 in 50 matches
- Best Figures: 5/18
- ODI Bowling Average: 27.09
- Economy: Around 5.70
T20I Wickets: 118 in 83 matches
- Best Figures: 4/18
- T20I Bowling Average: 20.66
- Economy: Around 8.0
He is a trustworthy bowler in death overs. He is often called upon in pressure situations. Haris has become a go-to pacer in Pakistan’s white-ball setup.
Shadab Khan
Shadab Khan has been formidable with the ball ever since he came on the scene. His consistency and temperament have been key to his bowling success. He uses variations well and relies on flight and guile. Shadab Khan can bowl in powerplay or middle overs effectively.
ODI Wickets: 85 in 70 matches
- Best Figures: 4/27
- ODI Bowling Average: 34.8
- Economy: Around 5.2
T20I Wickets: 108 in 101 matches
- Best Figures: 4/8
- T20I Bowling Average: 24.67
- Economy: Around 7.1
He is one of Pakistan’s top wicket-taking spinners in T20Is. Shadab’s control under pressure makes him a captain’s asset.
Fielding Comparison
Haris Rauf
Catches in ODIs: 7
Catches in T20Is: 13
He is known for his commitment in the field. Haris Rauf always gives it his all, leaving his body on the line. He covers ground quickly and puts in full dives to save runs. He shows high energy despite not being a specialist fielder. He often fields in deep or boundary positions. His aggressive nature reflects in his fielding efforts as well.
Shadab Khan
Catches in ODIs: 30
Catches in T20Is: 33
Shadab Khan is regarded as one of Pakistan’s safest fielders. He rarely drops catches and is very agile. Almost always involved in many direct-hit run-outs. In the field, he is always quick to the ball and has a strong throwing arm. His go-to position is inside the ring where reflexes are key. He is also known for taking sharp catches in pressure moments. He is one of the best hands in the cricketing world. A true asset in the field across all formats.
Impact in T20, ODI, and Test Cricket
T20 Cricket
Haris Rauf has been deadly in the death overs. He bowls at high pace and mixes it up with slower ones.He is often used as a specialist in the last four overs. His yorkers and bouncers are hard to put away. Haris Rauf troubles batters with sharp bounce and speed. He is very effective in the middle overs with variations.Haris Rauf is among the leading wicket-takers in Pakistan T20I history. His energy and aggression lift the team in crunch moments.
Shadab Khan is a regular wicket-taker. He controls the run flow in middle overs. His googly and flipper deceive batters often. He’s also handy with the bat, often finishing games. Shadab has played match-winning roles with both bat and ball. His presence adds depth and flexibility to the team.
ODI Cricket
Haris Rauf can strike early in powerplay overs. His pace remains threatening even on flat pitches. He also breaks partnerships in the middle overs. He is known to bounce out set batters. Though his economy can sometimes rise, his strike rate stays sharp.
Shadab Khan provides balance as a genuine all-rounder. He bowls in tight spells and provides breakthroughs. His economy is decent, and he often bowls in partnerships. He has finished close games with the bat as well. Shadab Khan is reliable down the order and brings stability.
Test Cricket
Haris Rauf has played only 1 Test match. He is yet to make a mark in the format. His red-ball potential is still untapped.
Shadab Khan has played 6 Test matches. He showed glimpses of promise early on. But consistency has kept him on the sidelines. Both will look to improve and earn regular Test spots in the future.
Haris Rauf vs Shadab Khan Key Strengths and Skills
Haris Rauf
He is a fearsome pace bowler. He regularly bowls above 145 km/h. His raw pace troubles even top batters. He thrives in high-pressure situations. In the death overs, he is a key weapon. He uses yorkers, slower balls, and sharp bouncers. His accuracy makes him hard to score off. He always looks for wickets, not just to contain runs.
His aggressive mindset sets him apart. He brings energy and intent to every spell. He has played in the BBL and PSL. This experience helps him adjust to different conditions. He knows how to handle world-class opponents. He is reliable across formats and leagues. His presence boosts any bowling attack. He is a match-winner with both pace and mindset.
Shadab Khan
He is a skilled leg-spinner. He can turn the ball both ways. This makes him tough to read. He keeps batters guessing with sharp variations. With the bat, he adds value in the lower order. He can play quick cameos when needed. His batting gives depth to the lineup. He has also led Pakistan in T20Is. His captaincy brings calm and clarity.
He understands game situations well. As a fielder, he is quick and alert. He rarely misses a chance. His consistency in the field is impressive. He brings energy and focus to every match. Whether with the ball, bat, or in the field, he delivers. His all-round skills make him a vital team member.
Haris Rauf & Shadab Khan Memorable Moments
Haris Rauf
BBL Hat-trick (2020): He took a stunning hat-trick for Melbourne Stars against Sydney Thunder. Rauf used pace and yorkers to rip through the middle order. It marked a major moment in his T20 career.
2022 T20 World Cup: Haris delivered a match-winning spell vs New Zealand in the semi-final. He gave away just 32 runs in four overs. Rauf took key wickets and stopped the Kiwi momentum.
Asia Cup 2023: He took 4/19 vs India in a high-pressure clash. Rauf bowled with raw pace and accuracy and dismantled India’s top order with ease.
Shadab Khan
2017 Champions Trophy: Shadab bowled economical spells in crunch games. He helped Pakistan control strong batting sides. Khan stayed calm under pressure.
2022 T20 World Cup vs SA: Shadab scored 52 off 22 balls and took 2 wickets. He turned the game with both bat and ball. Khan played a crucial all-round role.
PSL 2022: Shadab starred for Islamabad United. Khan took key wickets and scored handy runs. He proved his value as a true all-rounder.
Haris Rauf vs. Shadab Khan Head-to-Head Comparison
| Attribute | Haris Rauf | Shadab Khan |
| Role | Fast Bowler | All-Rounder (Leg-Spinner) |
| International Debut | 2020 (T20I) | 2017 (T20I & ODI) |
| ODI Matches | 50 | 67 |
| ODI Wickets | 88 | 85 |
| T20I Matches | 83 | 109 |
| T20I Wickets | 118 | 108 |
| ODI Runs | 105 | 855 |
| T20I Runs | 100 | 737 |
| Best ODI Bowling | 5/18 | 4/27 |
| Best T20I Bowling | 4/18 | 4/14 |
| Catches (ODI) | 7 | 30 |
| Catches (T20I) | 13 | 33 |
Final Thoughts
Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan are key players for Pakistan. Rauf’s pace can destroy any batting lineup. He is deadly in the death overs. His speed and aggression trouble top batters. Shadab brings balance to the team. He bowls sharp leg-spin and bats well in the lower order. He is also a brilliant fielder. His leadership and game awareness are big assets. Rauf adds firepower with the ball. Shadab adds control and versatility. They complement each other well. Both are match-winners in white-ball cricket. They have delivered in big games before. Their performances inspire confidence. With skill and passion, they form a strong core. Pakistan will rely on them in future tournaments. They have many great years ahead.
FAQs
1. What was Haris Rauf’s fastest ball?
Haris Rauf’s fastest recorded delivery is 153 km/h during the T20 World Cup.
2. How many catches were dropped by Haris Rauf?
Haris Rauf has safe hands but there have been dropped catches by him. His overall ratio is good across the formats.
3. Who is Haris Rauf’s best friend?
Shaheen Afridi is widely known to be Haris Rauf’s closest friend in the team. He is also seen spending time with him off the field.
4. What is the ranking of Haris Rauf?
As of April 2025, Haris Rauf is ranked 15th in ICC T20I bowler rankings.
5. Is Haris Rauf faster than Umran Malik?
No, Umran Malik has bowled faster (over 157 km/h). However, Rauf is more consistent with high pace and better control.