Pakistan cricket team has suffered a body blow as Haris Rauf has been ruled out of the remaining matches of the tri-series to have him fit for Champions Trophy. According to the official update, uncapped fast bowler Akif Javed has replaced the right-arm speedster and could make his debut against South Africa on Wednesday in Karachi.
Rauf bowled only 6.2 overs during Pakistan's heavy 78-run defeat to New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore before walking off the field due to an injury. According to the PCB, the 31-year-old has a muscular sprain in his chest wall and been advised rest ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Javed, meanwhile, delivered an impressive performance during the 2025 edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) as he finished as the third-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 20 scalps in 11 matches at 14.30 apiece. In 30 List A games, the left-arm pacer has taken 33 wickets at 36.
"We understand that our performance in the last match was below expectations" - Naseem Shah
Meanwhile, during a presser on Monday, fast bowler Naseem Shah remains optimistic of Pakistan coming back well in the crucial clash against South Africa on Wednesday. Naseem said he has complete faith in their bowling unit and said, as quoted by CricketPakistan.pk:
"As a fast bowler, you cannot afford to think negatively after just one match. In our last two series in Australia and South Africa, our fast bowlers delivered exceptional performances, so I have no doubt that we will regroup and come back stronger. We understand that our performance in the last match was below expectations, but cricket is all about learning and adapting. I have full faith in our bowling attack, and we are determined to rectify our mistakes and give our best in the coming games."
