Haris Rauf doubtful for T20 World Cup 2024 after suffering shoulder injury

Pakistan fast-bowler Haris Rauf is in a race against time to be fit for this year’s T20 World Cup after suffering a dislocated shoulder.

The right-arm pacer suffered the injury while playing the game between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL 2024). He ended up injuring his shoulder on the second last ball of the match while taking a running catch at long-off. While he managed to take the catch cleanly, he fell awkwardly and looked in pain straight away.

He has already been ruled of the ongoing PSL 2024 and according to the ICC, the pacer is now in danger of missing the T20 World Cup as well. The Qalandars have stated that the bowler will need close to two months to fully recover from the injury.

“The medical panel, after consultation, concluded that he needs four to six weeks to recover, forcing him to miss the PSL season,” the Qalandars said in a statement.

With the World Cup to begin in June, Haris Rauf’s participation in the competition is in serious doubt. Even if he recovers before the tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) might decide against picking him for a tournament like the World Cup due to a lack of match practice.

The latest injury is yet another setback for Haris Rauf who has endured a difficult time on and off the field in recent months. It all began with his poor campaign in the ODI World Cup in India before he refused to travel to Australia for the three-match Test series.

In the T20I series in New Zealand, he picked up seven wickets but had an economy rate of 10.61 per over. Earlier this month, the PCB also terminated his central contract for not playing the Test series in Australia.

Shaheen Afridi on Haris Rauf’s injury:

Meanwhile, Qalandars captain Shaheen Afridi, who is also Pakistan’s T20I captain, expressed his disappointment over Haris Rauf’s injury. He also threw his support behind his PSL and Pakistan teammate while stating that the management needs to give the pacer maximum time to recover.

“As a team, we are deeply saddened by Haris Rauf’s injury. It was painful to see him missing out as he’s been a pillar of strength for us, and his absence will be felt. In the face of adversity, we stand united, and I have full confidence that the team will rise to the occasion,” Afridi said as quoted from ICC.

“It’s indeed a setback for the franchise, but he is also Pakistan’s main bowler and we have a lot of cricket coming up ahead, so a pragmatic approach was to give him maximum time to recover. Wishing him a speedy recovery and we eagerly await his return to the field stronger than ever. Our thoughts and support are with him during this challenging time,” he added.