Haris Rauf’s struggles in death overs continued in the Big Bash League (BBL) as he failed to defend 10 runs in the final over against Brisbane Heat, handing his opponents a thrilling victory at the Gabba.
Melbourne Stars posted a competitive 195/6 in their 20 overs, setting up what looked like a defendable total. Brisbane Heat needed 10 runs from the last over with Max Bryant 36 runs off 23 balls and Xavier Bartlett 25 off 8 at the crease. Rauf stepped up to bowl the final over, but the result was all too familiar for the Pakistani pacer.
Bartlett took a single off the first ball, then Bryant took a double, followed by a massive six and a boundary to seal the win. Brisbane chased down the target in 19.4 overs, losing just six wickets.
Cricket fans on social media wasted no time roasting Rauf for yet another late-over collapse. One user wrote, “Only bowler who can do this,” while another asked, “Last over isko deta kon hai? [Who gives him the last over]”
MAX BRYANT!
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 2, 2026
Can you believe it? The Brisbane Heat have won another thriller at The Gabba #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/3ffcxaHAPs
“Haris Rauf finally found his form,” one fan joked sarcastically. Another added, “Haris Rauf always at the crime scene,” summing up his reputation for high-pressure failures.
“Normal day at the office for Haris Rauf,” commented another user, highlighting how this has become a recurring theme in his career.
This isn’t the first time Rauf has crumbled under pressure in the final over. His history of late-game collapses reads like a horror story for Pakistan fans.
In the 2022 T20 World Cup against India, Pakistan needed to defend 28 runs off eight balls. Rauf bowled the 19th over and was smashed for two consecutive sixes by Virat Kohli on the last two balls. India won that match, and what seemed like a certain Pakistan victory slipped away.
Fast forward to the 2025 Asia Cup final. India needed 10 runs in the last over, and once again, Rauf was the bowler. He conceded those runs in just four balls, giving away 50 runs in his four overs that day.
Then came the 2024 T20 World Cup match against the USA. Rauf couldn’t defend 15 runs in the final over, forcing the game into a Super Over. The USA went on to beat Pakistan in one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
Despite this loss, Melbourne Stars remain at the top of the BBL table with five wins from six matches.