Pakistan’s bowling attack was dealt a significant blow during the opening match of the Tri-Nation ODI series against New Zealand, as ace pacer Haris Rauf was forced to walk off the field after just 6.2 overs due to an ankle injury.
Rauf, who had been in excellent form, displaying pace and control, began to feel discomfort in his ankle following the second ball of the 37th over.
After delivering the delivery, Rauf appeared to be in pain, touching his hip before leaving the field without waiting for the physio. His premature departure left a notable gap in Pakistan’s bowling lineup.
The exact nature and extent of the injury remain unclear, but reports suggest that Rauf twisted his ankle, forcing him to abandon his remaining overs.
Salman Ali Agha stepped in to complete Rauf’s remaining over, but the team and fans will be anxiously awaiting updates on the pacer’s condition.
Rauf’s injury casts a shadow over Pakistan’s preparations for the upcoming tournament, with his fitness critical to the team's chances in the Champions Trophy.
His absence is a major concern for Pakistan, particularly with the ICC Champions Trophy starting in just over a week, on February 19. The team can ill-afford another setback, having already lost opener Saim Ayub to injury, ruling him out of the tournament.
Meanwhile, New Zealand, who won the toss and opted to bat, posted a challenging 331/6 in their 50 overs, thanks to a scintillating century from Glenn Phillips.
Phillips scored an explosive 106 off 74 balls, leading the visitors to a strong total.
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