Pakistan have received a huge blow with their star pacer Haris Rauf suffering a muscle injury. He complained of pain during India vs Pakistan (IND vs PAK) clash on Sunday. Later, he went for scans and it revealed no tear. But as the World Cup 2023 is just three weeks away, Pakistan are unlikely to risk him in Asia Cup 2023. He will not bowl against India on the Reserve Day.
“Haris Rauf started feeling his oblique muscle last night. He had a scan and it revealed some inflammation. With the World Cup round the corner, it is precautionary and we’ll have to use the other boys to fill the overs,” Morne Morkel, Pakistan’s bowling coach told Star Sports on Monday.
He felt a little discomfort in his right flank during the IND vs PAK Day 1 yesterday. He subsequently taken for a precautionary MRI. He will remain under the observation of the team’s medical panel.
Haris Rauf bowled five overs for 27 runs without any success as Shubman Gill (58 off 52) and Rohit Sharma (56 off 39) dominated Pakistan pace attack.
However, losing Haris Rauf will be a big blow as he is the highest wicket-taker of Asia Cup 2023 with 9 scalps.
Instead, Pakistan will have to rely on Faheem Ashraf against India. As for the other matches in Asia Cup 2023, it is still not clear.
As such injury takes at least a week to subside, it is unlikely that Pakistan will risk Rauf in the Asia Cup 2023 anymore. Instead, his next assignment will be the World Cup 2023 warm-up clash against New Zealand on September 29.
As for the IND vs PAK match, rain played spoilsport as no game was possible after India batted for 24.1 overs. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill added 121 runs for the opening stand.
Virat Kohli and KL Rahul resumed from 147/2 on the Reserve Day.
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