Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf picks up a hat-trick in Big Bash League for Melbourne Stars

Fast bowler has taken 13 wickets in just four matches in the T20 league in Australia

Melbourne Stars' Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf celebrates his hat-trick against Sydney Thunder during the Big Bash League match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday. Getty Images

Haris Rauf picked up the wicket of Sydney Thunder's Daniel Sams to complete his hat-trick in Melbourne. Getty Images

Melbourne Stars players celebrate the hat-trick of Pakistan quick Haris Rauf against Sydney Thunder during the Big Bash League match in Melbourne. Getty Images

Haris Rauf has picked up 13 wickets in just four Big Bash League matches for Melbourne Stars. Getty Images

Haris Rauf has surprised many batsmen with his extreme pace and variations in the Big Bash League. Getty Images

Haris Rauf was replaced by Dale Steyn in the Melbourne Stars playing XI but is back with a bang. Getty Images

Haris Rauf celebrates the wicket of Callum Ferguson of Sydney Thunder at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday. Getty Images

Haris Rauf is yet to concede more than 30 runs in his spell after four matches in the Big Bash League this season. Getty Images

Haris Rauf is expected to break into Pakistan's national team this year. Getty Images

Haris Rauf was criticised for his 'throat slit' celebration in the Big Bash League and apologised for it later. Getty Images

Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf continued his brilliant form in the Big Bash T20 League as he picked up a hat-trick for Melbourne Stars on Wednesday.

Rauf, 26, bowled a brilliant last over in Sydney Thunder’s first innings. He first deceived Matthew Gilkes with a slower ball to have the left-handed batsman caught at fine leg by Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane. He then bowled another slower ball to castle Callum Ferguson.

The hat-trick ball to Daniel Sams was fast and straight as he got the batsman out lbw. His finished with figures of 3-23. He took his tally to 13 wickets from four matches in the Big Bash League.

Rauf has made heads turn with his extreme pace and variations during the T20 league and has impressed every time he has bowled for Melbourne this season. He is yet to go for more than 30 runs in his four overs in the BBL.

Rauf is yet to play for Pakistan but that is likely to change this year with the T20 World Cup being held in Australia towards the end of the year.

“The T20 World Cup is coming up in Australia and I’m trying to get fit for that,” Rauf told cricket.com.au. “I’m hoping to represent my country, Pakistan, at higher levels. That’s my only dream, to play for my country.”

Rauf is a product of Pakistan Super League side Lahore Qalandars’ talent-hunt programme. He bowled to Virat Kohli and other Indian batsmen during a training session in Australia in early 2019 during India’s Test tour.