KARACHI: Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf has resumed practice sessions after recovering from an injury scare during the recent tri-nation series, just days before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The right-arm speedster joined his teammates in the nets in Karachi as Pakistan, the defending champions and hosts, gear up for their opening match against New Zealand on February 19.
Rauf had sustained a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall during Pakistan’s clash against New Zealand in the tri-nation series. Following the injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called up left-arm pacer Akif Javed as his replacement for the remainder of the series.
Read more: Amir Questions Haris Rauf’s Fitness for Champions Trophy 2025
At the time, PCB assured that the replacement was only for the tri-nation series, expressing confidence that Rauf would recover in time for the Champions Trophy.
Now back in the nets, Rauf appeared to be in good shape, bowling alongside fellow pacers Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain. He was also seen sprinting during the training session, indicating progress in his recovery.
His return comes a day after fast bowler Mohammad Amir raised concerns over his fitness, suggesting that if Rauf had sustained a side strain, he might be ruled out for at least six weeks.
“If Haris Rauf has a side strain, he cannot fully recover before six weeks. If it’s just stiffness, that’s a different case. But if it’s a grade one or two strain, recovery will take six weeks, followed by rehab,” Amir stated in an interview.
