• Source:JND
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Pakistan have suffered a major blow as the fast bowling duo of Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah's participation in the rest of the Asia Cup 2023 remains doubtful.

Haris wasn't available to bowl for Pakistan on the forced reserve day action against India on Tuesday, while Naseem also had discomfort as he wasn't seen coming out to bat against the arch-rivals.

Both the players are believed to have suffered respective injuries during the all-important match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

 

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As per a report by ESPNcricinfo, Haris, and Naseem are likely to miss Pakistan's next Super Four match against Sri Lanka on Thursday with uncertainty lying over their participation in the final as well if Pakistan manages to reach there.

Pakistan have called up Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan as backups for the injured duo. The PCB has, however, made it clear that Rauf and Naseem have not been ruled out of the tournament and will remain under the observation of the team's medical panel.

"This is only a precautionary measure keeping in mind the fitness and well-being of the players ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup next month," a PCB media statement said. "Haris and Naseem will continue to remain under the observation of the team's medical panel. The team management will only request a replacement from the ACC technical committee if Naseem or Haris are ruled out for the next seven days."

Rauf was believed to have felt "a little discomfort in his right flank" on Sunday as he didn't take the field on Monday, leaving his team a bowler short against a strong Indian batting lineup.

Naseem, on the other hand, went off in the 49th over of India's innings on the reserve day with an injury to his bowling shoulder. Neither batted in Pakistan's chase, which ended on 128 as India picked up a massive 228-run victory.

Pakistan never looked in the contest that lasted for two days as they were outclassed in all three departments. All three premier fast bowlers of Babar Azam's side including Shaheen Afridi went off the field nursing injuries at some point or other.

 

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Pakistan were never in the hunt in their run chase, losing regular wickets and collapsing either side of a lengthy rain break on Monday as India picked their first win of the Super Four stage to boost their chances of making it to the final.