IND vs PAK: Revealed - Why Naseem Shah And Haris Rauf Didn’t Bat vs India In Asia Cup 2023 Super Four Clash

Pakistan National Cricket Team tailenders Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf didn’t bat in the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four clash against India National Cricket Team despite the Men In Green losing 8 wickets at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Monday, September 11.

India posted 356/2 on the board after the top-order batters dismantled the dangerous Pakistan pace attack. India openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill stitched together 121 runs and hit good half-centuries. After the wicket of openers, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli hit sensational tons while adding 233 runs.

Chasing the target, the Pakistan top-order wasn’t able to survive against the Indian pacers as they were reduced to 3-47. After that, it was a Kuldeep Yadav show as he ran through the Pakistan batting unit and bagged a sensational five-wicket haul to reduce Pakistan to 8-128.

However, many were surprised as the remaining two batters of Pakistan – Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah – didn’t come out to bat and Pakistan lost by 228 runs. Notably, they didn’t come to bat because they were injured and not fit to compete.

Ahead of the match on Monday, it was informed by PCB that Haris Rauf was ruled out of the rest of the game because 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.

Naseem Shah, meanwhile, looked in some kind of trouble in the 49th over of India’s innings and the young pacer was seen holding his hand while walking off the field without completing his over.

India had plans for Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf – Babar Azam

Speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, Babar Azam said that Indian openers had plans in place to deal with the threat of Pakistan pacers. Babar Azam said:

“Weather was not in our hands but we tried our best. We were not up to the mark with our batting and bowling.

“They (Indian openers) had plans for our bowlers and started well and that was followed up by Virat and Rahul. Jasprit and Siraj bowled well in the first 10 overs and swung the ball both ways, but our batting was not up to the mark.”