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Mohammad Rizwan-led Pakistan cricket team have been dealt with a major setback as they will miss the services of pacer Haris Rauf in the remainder of tri-nation series. Notably, the star Pakistan bowler sustained a muscle strain in the opening match of the tri-nation series, involving New Zealand and South Africa.
Rauf was forced to leave the field after bowling just 6.2 overs against New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where he picked a solitary wicket of wicketkeeper-batter Tom Latham. The 31-year-old did not take the field thereafter as Pakistan failed to chase the mammoth target of 331 runs and lost the match by 78 runs.
Akif Javed replaces Haris Rauf in tri-nation series; pacer likely to get fit by Champions Trophy 2025
With Haris Rauf now set to miss the remainder of the series, the Pakistan cricket Board has named left-arm seamer Akif Javed as his replacement. “Left-arm fast bowler Akif Javed has been called up as a replacement for Haris Rauf in the tri-nation ODI series. Haris has been advised to rest after sustaining a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall during Saturday’s match against New Zealand. The replacement is only for the tri-nation ODI series, as Haris Rauf is expected to be fully fit and available for selection for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025,” PCB said in a media release.
The 24-year-old pacer has played 16 matches in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he scalped 18 wickets at an average of 23.33. He has also featured in 30 matches in his List A career, where he has picked 33 wickets.
Pakistan name Playing XI for tri-nation series match against South Africa; name two changes
On Tuesday, February 11, Pakistan Cricket Board also named their playing XI for the upcoming tri-nation series match against South Africa, which is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12 at the National Stadium in Karachi. The side have called in for two changes which will see Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Hasnain come in place of Kamran Ghulam and injured Haris Rauf.
Pakistan’s Playing XI for tri-nation series match against South Africa
Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (C, wk), Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
