Picture Credit: X
With the much-anticipated ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 less than ten days away, hosts Pakistan have been dealt with a massive setback with star pacer Haris Rauf sustaining an injury. Rauf was forced to walk off the field in the opening match of the tri-nation series against New Zealand in Lahore after he suffered a muscle sprain.
The Pakistan pacer bowled only 6.2 overs during his stay on the field, conceding 23 runs and picking up one wicket. Although he did not take the field thereafter and did not come out to bat as well, in which Pakistan lost by 78 runs. Days after the injury, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently shared a positive update on Haris Rauf’s injury.
Haris Rauf to miss Pakistan ODI tri-series match against South Africa; set to be fit ahead of CT 2025
Recently, PCB confirmed that Haris Rauf has sustained a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region and claimed it to not be a serious one. They further added that he is set to be fit by the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, but will miss Pakistan’s upcoming tri-nation series match against South Africa. "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. 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 wrote in a statement.
"However, as a precautionary measure and part of his ongoing rehabilitation, he will not be available for selection against South Africa on 12 February," they further informed. Speaking of the marquee ICC tournament, Pakistan will play the tournament opener against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on February 19, before taking on arch-rivals India on February 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan’s squad for ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025
Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi
