Pakistan has suffered a major setback in the ongoing tri-series and for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as fast bowler Haris Rauf has been ruled out of the remaining matches due to injury.
On February 8, during the first match of the tri-series against New Zealand, Haris Rauf sustained an injury while bowling in the 37th over and had to leave the field without completing his over. He experienced sharp pain in the left side of his chest and abdomen after delivering the second ball of his sixth over, preventing him from completing his full quota of 10 overs.
As a replacement, young fast bowler Akif Javed has been added to the Pakistan squad for the remainder of the tri-series. In a press release on Sunday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed after MRI and X-ray scans that Haris Rauf had suffered a strain in the lower chest area during the match against New Zealand.
PCB Confirms Haris Rauf’s Injury Not Serious
The PCB has stated that the injury is not serious, and he is expected to fully recover in time for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which begins on February 19 in Karachi. However, as a precautionary measure and to aid his recovery, Haris Rauf will not be available for Pakistan’s crucial match against South Africa on February 12.
Captain Reveals Update on Haris Rauf’s Injury
Pakistan cricket team captain Mohammad Rizwan has expressed relief regarding fast bowler Haris Rauf’s injury.
Rizwan stated that, according to the doctors, Rauf’s injury is not a cause for concern. Meanwhile, Azhar Mahmood mentioned that Haris Rauf has undergone an MRI scan, and there is hope that he will be fit to play in the Champions Trophy.
He further added that no changes to the squad have been considered yet, as that is the selectors’ decision. “This is the best available team that has been selected,” he said.
Who Is Haris Rauf’s Replacement, Akif Javed?
In place of the experienced but injured Haris Rauf, young fast bowler Akif Javed has been included in the Pakistan squad. According to sources, the 24-year-old all-rounder from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be part of the squad for Pakistan’s next two matches in the tri-series. The team management will decide on his participation in the upcoming match against South Africa at the National Stadium on Wednesday.
Standing at 6 feet 1 inch, Akif Javed caught the selectors’ attention with his impressive performances in the Bangladesh Premier League. He made his first-class debut in 2019 and was part of the Balochistan squad for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
A right-handed batsman and left-arm fast bowler, Akif Javed also competed in the National T20 Cup the same year and represented Islamabad United in the 2020 PSL. The following year, he was included in Pakistan Shaheens’ squad for the Sri Lanka tour. He has also played for Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings in the PSL. If given the opportunity, he could make his One Day International (ODI) debut during the tri-series.
It is worth mentioning that in the first match of the tri-series, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 78 runs. Pakistan will play its second match of the series against South Africa on February 12, while In the second match of the ongoing tri-nation ODI series in Pakistan, New Zealand defeated South Africa by six wickets to secure a spot in the final.
On Monday, at Gaddafi Stadium, New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first, inviting South Africa to bat. South Africa set a target of 305 runs.
In the final of the tri-series, New Zealand will face the winner of the match between Pakistan and South Africa.
