Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf created history in the Pakistan vs Afghanistan T20I tri-series match in Sharjah on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Batting at No.10, the Rawalpindi-born pacer smashed 34 runs off just 16 balls, staying unbeaten in Pakistan’s 18-run loss. During his innings, Rauf hammered four massive sixes and top-scored for the Salman Ali Agha-led side.
He also added a vital 40-run unbeaten stand for the 10th wicket with Sufiyan Muqeem, who remained not out on 7 runs from six balls. Despite their effort, Pakistan fell short, but Rauf’s knock helped him rewrite several records in T20I cricket.
First Pakistan No.10 to Top-Score in a T20I
The 31-year-old became the first-ever No.10 or No.11 batter to finish as the top-scorer for Pakistan in T20Is. According to Cricbuzz, “there have been four instances of a No.9 batter top-scoring in an innings for Pakistan, but Tuesday was the first time when a No.10 batter finished as the top scorer.”
This achievement underlines the uniqueness of his innings, considering Pakistan’s long list of lower-order batters in the format.
Matches World Record for Sixes at No.10
Rauf’s four sixes also helped him equal the world record for the most sixes by a No.10 or No.11 batter in a T20I. Four other players have hit the same number of sixes from that position, but only West Indies’ Akeal Hosein achieved it while playing for a full member nation.
Hosein struck 4 sixes and 3 fours in his unforgettable unbeaten 44 from 16 balls as a No.10 batter against England in Bridgetown on January 23, 2022. Rauf’s effort now places him alongside that rare group.
Breaks Pakistan’s 10th-Wicket Record in T20Is
The 40-run partnership between Rauf and Muqeem also set a new benchmark for Pakistan’s lower order. It is now the highest-ever 10th-wicket stand for Pakistan in T20 internationals, surpassing a record that stood for 15 years.
Back on December 26, 2010, Shoaib Akhtar and Wahab Riaz had added an unbeaten 31 runs for the last wicket against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland. Rauf and Muqeem went past that with their determined fightback.
Struggles With the Ball
While Rauf earned praise with the bat, his performance with the ball was disappointing. Known as Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals, he bowled three overs but conceded 38 runs. His economy rate of 12.67 highlighted a rare off-day, as he failed to claim a wicket in Sharjah.
Pakistan eventually suffered the embarrassment of losing a T20I against Afghanistan despite Rauf’s record-breaking effort with the bat.
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