The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allayed the speculations of star pacer Haris Rauf missing the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as the board expects the 31-year-old to make a full recovery from the muscle sprain he sustained during the opener of the tri-series against New Zealand.
During the first match of the tri-series, Rauf delivered an impressive performance but his outing was cut short due to injury concerns. After bowling just 6.2 overs, Rauf was forced to leave the field, having conceded a mere 23 runs and claimed one wicket during his brief but effective spell.
PCB updated that the injury was diagnosed as a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region and is not as serious.
Thus, the recovery time for Rauf will not exceed the time required to get fit before the start of the Champions Trophy, and he will be available to participate in the event.
"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 stated in an official statement.
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As a precautionary measure, PCB also revealed that Rauf would not play in Pakistan's second match of the ongoing tri-series against South Africa on Wednesday.
"However, as a precautionary measure and part of his ongoing rehabilitation, he will not be available for selection against South Africa on 12 February," the statement further read.
Meanwhile, the hosts Pakistan will commence their ICC Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand on February 19 before taking on arch-rivals India on February 23.
Pakistan Champions Trophy squad
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.