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Relief For Pakistan; Rizwan Declares Haris Rauf Fit Before Champions Trophy

Arnav Chopra

Mohammad Rizwan with Haris Rauf [Source: AP]Mohammad Rizwan with Haris Rauf [Source: AP]

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It's very positive news coming from Karachi as the Pakistani skipper Mohammad Rizwan has given his verdict on pacer Harris Rauf's fitness. The right-arm pacer Rauf suffered an injury during the first game of the Tri-Series against New Zealand.

Rizwan Confirms Rauf Fit For Opening Game

The Pakistan side will be hosting an ICC event after 29 long years with the Champions Trophy 2025, and have received a piece of uplifting news on one major front. The update is that the Pakistani premier pacer Haris Rauf has been declared fit before the Champions Trophy 2025, and he is likely to be able to feature in their opening game against New Zealand on February 19th.

This was revealed by captain Rizwan, who assured that Rauf has recovered from the injury as he was kept out of the rest of the matches in the Tri-Series due to precautionary measures. To the unversed, Rauf suffered a muscle strain on his chest after bowling 6.2 overs against the Kiwi side in the first match of the Tri-Series. However, he neither returned for that match nor the rest of the series.

"Haris bowled 6-8 overs a couple of days ago, and bowled a fair bit yesterday too. He's bowling with full rhythm today, too. He's also putting work in the gym and isn't complaining of any pains. We think he's fully fit," Rizwan stated. 

Rauf's fitness is of significant concern to Pakistan, who would want to be playing with their full-throttle pace attack, including Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah.

Rizwan Urges Countrymen To Enjoy The Moment

Moreover, Mohammad Rizwan spoke about the fortune of Pakistan hosting the prestigious Champions Trophy 2025, where most nations will come to play the historic event, which would be the first time after 1996 that they would be hosting an event like this.

"A global event has come to Pakistan after 29 years so I think the whole nation should enjoy this historic occasion. Pakistan has suffered enough and for a long time, but we have also won during this phase, like the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup. So we have no doubts about our ability."

With that in mind, Pakistan are all set to play the inaugural match of the Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand on February 19th in Karachi's National Stadium. At the same time, the Indian side will be playing all their matches in Dubai, with the first one against Bangladesh on February 20th.