ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Haris Rauf's participation under serious doubt after walking off vs New Zealand

Pakistan have suffered a major blow just days before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 gets underway as fast bowler Haris Rauf left the field midway in the tri-series opener against New Zealand at the newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Haris Rauf is one of the key members of Pakistan's bowling attack and possibly their quickest bowler as well. The match was interestingly poised when he left the field. His absence hurt Pakistan as New Zealand plundered 98 runs off the final 6 overs of their innings, thanks to Glenn Phillips.

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Haris Rauf leaves the field midway in the tri-series opener

Haris Rauf came to bowl a new spell during the 37th over of New Zealand's innings. The first two balls were bowled at a good pace. However, he held his knees after the second delivery and walked back to his mark gingerly.

The fast bowler didn't wait for the physio to attend him and decided to walk off the field without completing the over. Offspinning-allrounder Salman Ali Agha completed the rest of the over.

According to the reports, Haris Rauf went off the field due to severe chest pain. He didn't come back to complete his quota and it raised concerns over his availability for the rest of the tri-series and the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Haris Rauf had a good day with the ball as he bowled with good pace and generated good bounce from a slow surface at Lahore. He even picked up the wicket of Tom Latham who chipped a catch to Kamran Ghulam at short midwicket. Rauf finished the day with figures of 1-23 in 6.2 overs.

Second injury blow after Saim Ayub

The injury comes at a time when Pakistan will be looking to defend their Champions Trophy title on home soil. But the Men in Green have been suffering major injury issues ahead of the important tournament.

A few days ago, talented opener Saim Ayub was ruled out of the tournament after he injured his right ankle in the Test series played in South Africa. Ayub went to London for further treatment with the hope of being fit for the Champions Trophy.

However, it is believed that he still needs some more time to be fully fit and the board is not in favor of risking his career. He is currently in London completing his rehabilitation and still needs some weeks to get back on the field.

New Zealand started with an emphatic win

New Zealand started the tri-series with a bang as they registered a dominating win over home side Pakistan. The Kiwis batted first on a slow surface but lost both the openers early.

But Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell put on a good partnership to steady the innings. They lost two quick wickets but Mitchell kept batting in an attempt to play a long innings.

Mitchell scored 81 off 84 balls but it was the lower-order batting from Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell that changed the game. Bracewell struck 31 off 23 balls while Phillips played a blinder with 106 off just 74 balls with 6 fours and 7 sixes.

In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for just 252. Opener Fakhar Zaman was the lone shining light in the innings with 84 off just 69 balls. There were little contributions in the batting order but they were not enough to trouble the visitors.