ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Haris Rauf ruled out of tournament? PCB delivers update
Published - 10 Feb 2025, 12:56 PM | Updated - 10 Feb 2025, 12:57 PM
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The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is just around the corner, and all the participating teams are praying that their premier players remain fit, and whoever is nursing any injuries, will regain fitness before the start of the tournament, and Pakistan is one of them.
Haris Rauf has recently given them almost a heart attack after suffering an injury during the ongoing Tri-nation ODI series opener between Pakistan and New Zealand in Lahore on February 8. Haris Rauf had to leave early after taking one wicket while conceding only 23 runs, and the pacer didn’t come out to bat during Pakistan’s 78-run defeat against the Black Caps.
Haris Rauf suffers a muscle sprain during the PAK vs NZ Match
Haris Rauf was forced to leave the field after bowling just 6.2 overs due to a muscle sprain, which raised concerns about his availability for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting on February 19 at the National Stadium in Karachi with Pakistan versus New Zealand clash.
Dismissed for a duck! @HarisRauf14 strikes to remove Tom Latham 🔥#3Nations1Trophy | #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/6R3XI4lIiT
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 8, 2025
Amidst the speculations and concerns, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shared a major update on Haris Rauf. The PCB quashed the concerns of Rauf missing the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The board revealed that Rauf suffered a muscle sprain in his lower chest wall, and it is not as serious as initially feared.
The Pakistan Cricket Board also confirmed that Rauf is expected to be fully fit in time for the start of the prestigious tournament. However, as a precaution, Rauf has been rested for Pakistan's second match in the ongoing tri-nation ODI series against South Africa on February 12.
PCB confirms Haris Rauf will be recovered before the ICC Champions Trophy
The PCB said in a press release, “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. However, as a precautionary measure and part of his ongoing rehabilitation, he will not be available for selection against South Africa on 12 February.”
Earlier, the PCB faced criticism after New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra sustained a horrible injury during the first ODI of the tri-series in Lahore due to bad light in Lahore. Ravindra suffered a cut on his forehead, causing bleeding, and was quickly taken off the field.
Sufiyan Muqeem set to be named in Pakistan squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Meanwhile, the left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem is all set to be added to Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It is being said that Muqeem will join Abrar Ahmed as part of the Pakistani team’s spin attack for the multi-nation tournament.
Sufiyan Muqeem, who made his impressive ODI debut in December 2024 against South Africa, is on the line to be named in the national squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 despite there being reports that the Men in Green will rely solely on Abrar Ahmed. But sources said that Sufiyan will be officially included in the final squad to add depth to Pakistan's spin attack in the mega event.
