Pakistan chief selector Wahab Riaz, who had slammed fast bowler Haris Rauf for opting out of the Test series in Australia, has now defended the NOC given to him to play in the Big Bash League.

Wahab, while announcing the Test squad for the series last month had criticised Haris for not making himself available for selection for the three games in Australia.

But while talking to the media on Saturday, Wahab stated that the PCB has orchestrated this NOC to ensure Haris remains in optimal form in the lead-up to the T20I series in New Zealand.

“From now until the New Zealand series, there is a gap of 1.5 months during which Haris Rauf isn’t playing any cricket. His contract with Cricket Australia for the Big Bash comprises only 5 games...

“To ensure he maintains his rhythm, we have given him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from December 7th to 28th.”

Pak thrash India in U-19 clash

Dubai: Pakistan rode on Azan Awais's classy unbeaten century to beat arch-rivals India by eight wickets in the ongoing U-19 Asia Cup here on Sunday.

India managed a mediocre 259/9 in 50 overs, largely due to late surge by Sachin Dhas, who tonked three sixes in his 42-ball-58.

Skipper Uday Saharan (60 off 98 balls) and opener Adarsh Singh (62 off 81 balls) couldn't force the pace adding only 93 runs in 20 overs.

For the winners, right-arm medium pacer Mohammed Zeeshan took 4/46.

The biggest name among the India U-19s — Sarfaraz Khan's younger brother Musheer (2) had an off day.

In reply, Pakistan romped home in 47 overs with left-handed Azan anchoring the chase, scoring a patient 105 not out off 130 balls with 10 fours.

He first added 110 for the second wicket with opener Shazaib Khan (63 off 88 balls) and another 125 in just 19.1 overs with Saad Baig, who smashed unbeaten 68 off just 51 balls with eight boundaries and a maximum.

India used as many as seven bowlers, but nothing worked.

Brief Scores: India U-19 259/9 in 50 overs (Uday Saharan 60, Adarsh Singh 62, Sachin Dhas 58; Mohammed Zeeshan 4/46). Pakistan U-19 263/2 in 47 overs (Azan Awais 105 not out, Saab Baig 68 not out, Shazaib Khan 63; Murugan Abhishek 2/55). PakistanU-19 won by 8 wickets.