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Ex-PAK Pacer Comments On Haris Rauf's Muscle Strain; Will He Play Champions Trophy?

Muskaan Bhatt

Haris Rauf (Source: AP Photos)Haris Rauf (Source: AP Photos)

The highly-anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to begin from February 19 with Pakistan and New Zealand locking horns against one another. While the tournament promises to be an exciting affair with the best of best teams battling against one another, it would also be missing some really crucial players.

Haris Rauf's Injury

For the Men In Green, they are heading into the tournament without in-form youngster Saim Ayub, who sustained an injury and is recovery at the moment. Not just Ayub, but there's also the Haris Rauf concern that is bothering Pakistan. Rauf, who sustained a muscular sprain in the lower chest during the opening match of the tri-nation ODI series, was rested for the remaining matches as a precautionary measure. 

Followed by which, the Pakistan Cricket Board had shared in a statement that fast bowler Haris Rauf sustained a sprain however he will recover in time for the ICC tournament.

“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 injury is not serious and he is expected to be fully recovered for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which commences in Karachi on 19 February."

Will Haris Rauf Play Champions Trophy?

However, a contradictory statement from fellow Pakistan pacer, Mohd. Amir paints a different picture about Haris Rauf's recovery.

“If Haris Rauf has a side strain, he cannot recover fully before six weeks. If it’s just stiffness, then that’s different. If it is a grade one or two side strain, no matter what, it will take six weeks, and then the rehab starts. I got this injury during PSL a couple of years ago. If it is a side strain of grade one or two, then I don’t think he can play the Champions Trophy. I think it will be foolish to risk his career for three matches of a tournament because he won’t be able to give his 100 per cent.”

A side strain, especially a grade one or two, typically requires at least six weeks for recovery. Amir drew from his own experience of suffering a similar injury during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), explaining that no matter the treatment, the rehab phase begins only after six weeks.