Pakistan’s speedster Haris Rauf shared that he is fully fit and ready to shine at the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 in India, commencing on October 5.
Haris Rauf suffered an injury during Pakistan’s Super 4 clash against India at the Asia Cup 2023 and subsequently missed Pakistan’s final Super 4 match against Sri Lanka.
Nonetheless, he was selected in Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the ICC World Cup 2023.
The 29-year-old fast bowler, while talking to the media termed it an honor to represent Pakistan at the World Cup.
“It is every player’s dream to play in the World Cup, it is an honour for me to represent Pakistan at the World Cup,” said Haris Rauf. “I am fully fit and ready to perform well at the World Cup.”
He also shared that fellow fast bowler Naseem Shah will be missed gravely at the World Cup, who also got injured during the match against India, and was ruled out of the ICC World Cup 2023.
“It is a pity that Naseem Shah is not there [at the World Cup],” he added.
Haris Rauf generally comes to bowl at first change, however, he is ready to fill the role of new ball bowler in Naseem’s absence if the situation demands.
“I am ready to perform at any position for the team, be it with the new ball or at the first change,” he stated. “As professionals, it is our job to perform at any position in any condition,”
He also responded to the criticism that Pakistani pace bowlers lack aggression and get relaxed at times.
“We are aggressive as fast bowlers, if anyone thinks that we are relaxed then that is their thinking,” he concluded.
Haris Rauf has represented Pakistan in 28 ODIs and has picked 53 wickets at 24.32.
Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023
Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha.
Travelling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan
Pakistan’s warm-up matches schedule:
- September 29 — vs New Zealand in Hyderabad
- October 3 — vs Australia in Hyderabad
Pakistan’s schedule for the ICC World Cup 2023:
- October 6 – vs Netherlands in Hyderabad
- October 10 – vs Sri Lanka in Hyderabad
- October 14 – vs India in Ahmedabad
- October 20 – vs Australia in Bengaluru
- October 23 – vs Afghanistan in Chennai
- October 27 – vs South Africa in Chennai
- October 31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
- November 4 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
- November 11 – vs England in Kolkata
The day matches will start at 10:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures, starting at 01:30 pm (PST).
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