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Relief For Pakistan! Haris Rauf Set To Feature In Champions Trophy Opener Vs New Zealand

Anurag Dasgupta

Will Haris Rauf play in CT? [Source: AP Photo] Will Haris Rauf play in CT? [Source: AP Photo]

Pakistan fans were sweating hard on Haris Rauf's fitness after the pacer limped off the field with an injury in the tri-series opener Vs New Zealand. However, the fans can now take a sigh of relief as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has provided a massive update on Rauf's status for the Champions Trophy.

The board in a press release stated that the injury is not serious and the ace pacer will be available for the tournament opener Vs New Zealand.

Will Rauf take part in Champions Trophy?

The press release stated that following the X-ray and MRI, it can be indicated that Haris Rauf suffered from a mild strain in the lower part of his chest.

“Following MRI and X-ray scans, it has been confirmed that Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf sustained a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region during Saturday’s match against New Zealand," the press release stated.

"As a precautionary measure, the fast bowler will not play in the match against South Africa on February 12 in Karachi," PCB added in a statement. 

Rauf walked off the field in first ODI

In the first ODI of the tri-nation series, Rauf bowled just 6.2 overs and left the field in some discomfort. He didn't came out to bowel afterwards as Pakistan clearly missed his services.

The other bowlers lacked the cutting edge as Glenn Phillips toyed with the Pakistan bowling attack and smashed a quick-fire 106* off 74 balls to propel New Zealand to 330.

Pakistan were never really in the contest as they lost a flurry of wickets and barring Fakhar Zaman, all the other batters failed to deliver the goods and lost the game by 78 runs.