3 Potential Replacements For Haris Rauf In Pakistan's Champions Trophy 2025 Squad

Haris Rauf after his injury (Source:@HassanAbbasian/X.com)

Haris Rauf is a genuine wicket-taker and he has proved that over the years in white-ball cricket. Recently, the pacer was the player of the series in Pakistan's historic ODI series win in Australia and is expected to play a big role in Champions Trophy 2025. However, an unexpected injury during the 37th over of the game between Pakistan and New Zealand has not put his participation in doubt and if he does get ruled out, it would be a big blow for the home side.

The pacer experienced pain around his waist on the left side and walked off the field in discomfort immediately after that. The on-air commentator called it a side-strain and if could prove disastrous for Haris Rauf and Pakistan.

3. Mohammad Ali

The right-arm pacer, Mohammad Ali from Sialkot can fit into the squad if Haris Rauf misses out. He is known for his red-ball exploits and has played four Test matches for Pakistan as well, but has a decent record in List A as well. He has 47 wickets in 39 matches at an average of 31.27 and has a five-wicket haul as well.

List A Record Of Mohammad Ali

He has been doing well in T20 format recently though and has 58 wickets in just 32 matches. So, he knows how to pick wickets in limited overs cricket and as Pakistan are known to bring T20 stars into ODI cricket, Mohammad Ali can also be one of them. The man he will replace also followed the same route, but Mohammad Ali also has first-class success to his name which makes him one of the worthy options.

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2. Abbas Afridi

The left-arm pacer Abbas Afridi is yet to make his ODI debut for Pakistan but the 23-year-old has shown plenty of signs that he can deliver in the 50-over format as well. The bowler has been brilliant for Pakistan in T20Is and has picked 30 wickets in just 18 innings. He is a genuine wicket-taker and bowls well both with the old ball too along with new ball which Pakistan would need in absence of Haris Rauf.

List A Record Of Abbas Afridi

He has made impression in List A cricket too, and has 44 wickets in 28 matches which includes two five-wicket hauls and one four-fer. He has done well in the last three series for Pakistan in the shortest format as well and could be a great addition with plethora of variations at his disposal.

1. Aamir Jamal

Aamir Jamal was expected to make it to the Pakistan's Champions Trophy 2025 squad, but Faheem Ashraf was preferred over him. Now, if Haris Rauf gets ruled out, there is a massive chance that selectors will go back to Aamir Jamal as he was in the scheme of things before the tri-series.

He has played three ODIs where he has picked three wickets and just recently played in the format against Zimbabwe. The other two competitors have not even made his debut, so Aamir Jamal gets ahead there, and he has more List A experience than Abbas Afridi and Mohammad Ali too.

List A Record Of Aamir Jamal

Aamir Jamal has 56 wickets in 34 matches while he is a handy batter too and can use the long handle to great effect. Those all-round skills can help Pakistan bring more balance in their team and all these factors make him a quality replacement of Haris Rauf.

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