KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has provided an update on the injury of pacer Haris Rauf ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Doubts were raised about the right-arm fast bowler’s availability for the upcoming eight-nation tournament starting on 19 February.
The pacer faced fitness issues during the tri-nation series opener against New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 8 February.
Haris Rauf left the field during the 36th over of the match after bowling 6.2 overs due to fitness concerns.
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The PCB has now shared an update on Haris Rauf injury and his availability for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
According to the board, the right-arm pacer suffered a muscular sprain in the lower chest during the game and will be rested for Pakistan’s game against South Africa in the tri-nation series.
“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,” said the PCB in a statement.
”The injury is not serious and he is expected to be fully recovered for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which commences in Karachi on 19 February,” PCB concluded.
The PCB medical board has decided to rest the Pakistan pacer for the February 12 game against South Africa as a precautionary measure and part of his ongoing rehabilitation.
It is pertinent to note here that New Zealand achieved a convincing victory against Pakistan by 78 runs in the first match of the tri-nation ODI series at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Batting first, Glenn Phillips scored a fiery unbeaten ton after Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell’s fifties to power New Zealand to 330 over the loss of six wickets.
Chasing 331, Pakistan got off to a promising start with the new opening pair of Fakhar and Babar Azam putting together a brisk 52-run stand.
However, Fakhar Zaman was the only silver lining for Pakistan as they crumbled in chase, and were bowled out for 252 in 47.5 overs at Gaddafi Stadium.
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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