Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has recovered from his injury and will be available for the ICC Champions Trophy opening match against New Zealand on Wednesday, reports claimed.
According to news agency PTI, a source close to the Pakistan team confirmed on Sunday that Haris Rauf, who sustained a muscular strain in his lower chest wall during the recent tri-series tournament, has recovered and will play in the Champions Trophy opener in Karachi.
The 31-year-old seamer is alright and resting him after the first match of the Tri-Series has helped him recover well, the source said, adding that Pakistan have no fitness issues with any other player.
Haris is one of Pakistan's key bowlers with his express pace and ability to take wickets in the middle overs and has remained with the squad despite the selectors calling up uncapped Akif Javed as a backup for him.
Haris Rauf boasts 83 wickets in 46 one-day internationals and another 110 wickets in 79 T20 Internationals as he has built a reputation as a specialist white-ball bowler.
ALSO READ:
- Pakistan bans international kabaddi player Ubaidullah Rajput for representing India and waving Indian flag
- 2006 U19 World Cup, 2017 Champions Trophy and now 2025 U19 Asia Cup: Sarfaraz Ahmed repeats his magic in another India-Pakistan final
- U19 Asia Cup final: India vs Pakistan - War of words as Ali Raza gives fiery send-off to Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Former Pakistan left-arm pacer Muhammad Amir had on Saturday expressed his concerns on a TV channel about Haris' fitness for the Champions Trophy. Amir claimed that if the pacer had suffered a side strain it would take five to six weeks to heal completely.
Pakistan lost to New Zealand twice in the tri-series, including in the final on Friday, and will be eager to make amends in the Champions Trophy opener as they are the defending champions.