In a concerning development for Pakistan cricket fans, star pacer Haris Rauf suffered a muscular sprain in his lower chest wall during a tri-series match against New Zealand on February 8.
Although the injury is not deemed serious, Rauf has been rested as a precautionary measure, missing crucial matches, including the clash against South Africa on February 12.
This raised questions about his availability for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which commenced on February 19 in Karachi.
However, recent updates suggest that Rauf is expected to recover in time for the Champions Trophy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the injury is not serious, and he should be fully recovered by the start of the tournament123.
Despite initial concerns, Rauf has been declared fit to play in the opening match against New Zealand, providing a significant boost to Pakistan’s fast bowling unit56.
Akif Javed Steps In
In Rauf’s absence, Pakistan’s management called up 24-year-old Akif Javed to bolster their bowling attack. Akif, though not a household name, has been making waves in Pakistan’s domestic circuit with his impressive pace and ability to swing the ball both ways.
His statistics in First-Class, List A, and T20 cricket are noteworthy, particularly in the shortest format where he has taken 84 wickets in 68 matches at an average of 23.531.
Akif’s recent performance in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024-25 was particularly impressive, grabbing 20 wickets in just 11 matches for Rangpur Riders. His economy rate of 6.89 and best figures of 4/32 highlight his potential to be a game-changer in the middle overs.
With high stakes, Akif’s debut against South Africa on February 12 was seen as a critical opportunity for him to prove himself on the big stage. Pakistan needed firepower in Rauf’s absence, and Akif was poised to be the x-factor that could help secure a spot in the final against New Zealand.
Mohammad Amir’s Concerns
Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir raised concerns about Rauf’s injury, suggesting that if it were a side strain, the recovery time could be as long as six weeks, followed by rehabilitation. Amir emphasized that risking Rauf’s career for a few matches would be unwise, as he wouldn’t be able to perform at his best.
Despite these concerns, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed optimism about Rauf’s fitness, stating that he was bowling with full rhythm and feeling no discomfort, which suggested he could play in the Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand.
