KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named left-arm fast bowler Akif Javed to replace the injured Haris Rauf in the ongoing tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa.
Akif Javed, included in the home side’s squad, has played 23 first-class, 30 List A, and 68 T20 matches.
Haris, who faced fitness concerns during the tri-series opener against New Zealand, has been advised to rest after sustaining a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall during Saturday’s match.
“Following MRI and X-ray scans, it has been confirmed that Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf sustained a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region during Saturday’s match against New Zealand,” PCB shared in a statement.
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“However, as a precautionary measure and part of his ongoing rehabilitation, he will not be available for selection against South Africa on 12 February,” said the cricket board.
According to the cricket board, the replacement is only for the tri-nation ODI series. Haris Rauf is expected to be fully fit and available for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 selection.
For the unversed, Pakistan will kick off their mega event campaign against New Zealand in Karachi on 19 February.
They will then play arch-rivals India in Dubai on 23 February, and Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on 27 February.
Pakistan squad for tri-nation series and Champions Trophy 2025:
Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
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