Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf has been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 clash against India on the reserve day as a precautionary measure after the bowler felt a minor discomfort in his right flank.
What happened to Haris Rauf?
The pacer who will be missing in action has bowled five overs and gave away 27 runs without taking any wickets.
Right after the Pakistan vs India Asia Cup 2023 group match ended a draw after rain interrupted and forced the officials to end the match, ACC announced a reserve day for their Super 4 clash on Sunday.
As expected the rain intervened and forced the match to halt while India scored 147 runs for 2 wickets loss in 24.1 overs. Winning the toss, Pakistan decided to bowl first where Indian openers made a 100-run stand for the opening partnership and smashed Pakistan bowlers’ aggressive deliveries all around the stadium.
In the very first over, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, smashed a six to Shaheen. Unfortunately, the left arm pacer struggled to find the right line and length after that initial six.
While his bowling partner, Naseem Shah, appeared threatening, Shaheen seemed far from his usual form. He was hit for three consecutive fours by Shubman Gill in his second over, and Gill struck him for three more fours in the fifth over, and overall Shaheen conceded 31 runs in his first three overs.
Earlier Waqar Younis expressed his disappointment with Shaheen’s opening spell and remarked that the left-arm pacer exerted too much effort with the new ball.
Why will he not participate in today’s super4 match?
In a statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board, it said, “Fast bowler Haris Rauf will not be bowling any further in the Asia Cup Super 4 match against India as a precautionary measure. He felt a little discomfort in his right flank during the match yesterday and was subsequently taken for a precautionary MRI, which revealed no tear. He remains under the observation of the team’s medical panel.”
Rauf was taken for an MRI scan in the evening on Sunday after complaining of pain. Those scans are thought to be clear, but because he was still in pain, it was decided not to field him on Monday.
“He (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. About yesterday’s bowling, I felt that we weren’t on the money from the get go, and that’s why we were hit for a few runs,” Pakistan bowling coach Morne Morkel said.
Rauf bowled five wicketless overs and conceded 27 runs on Sunday but brought some sense of control to an innings in which India’s openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill scored half-centuries and put on 121 in a flying start.
