After their 74-run defeat against England in the opening Test of the ongoing three-match series at Rawalpindi, Pakistan have faced another blow as their frontline pacer Haris Rauf has been ruled out of the entire series due to a thigh injury.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the development on Tuesday, stating Rauf has a grade-II strain in his right quad. Notably, the 29-year-old, who made his debut in the opening Test in Rawalpindi, stepped on the ball while fielding on the first day.
Rauf bowled 13 overs during England’s first innings and picked up one wicket for 78 runs. He was unable to bowl in the second innings and batted with discomfort in both essays. According to PCB, the scans revealed Rauf’s injury, and now the pacer will travel to Lahore for rehabilitation.
“A grade-II strain in the right quad has ruled Haris Rauf out of the Test series against England. The fast bowler underwent an MRI during the first day’s play of the Rawalpindi Test after he rolled over the ball while fielding,” a PCB statement read.
“The scans and the subsequent assessment by the PCB medical staff concluded that the fast bowler suffered a grade-II strain. Haris will travel to Lahore, where he will begin his rehabilitation at the National High-Performance Centre,” the statement added.
Rauf’s absence will be a massive blow for the hosts as they are already missing spearhead pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was unfit because of his knee injury. Pakistan have not yet named a replacement for Rauf. After losing the first Test against England, the Babar Azam-led side will be looking to bounce back in the second Test, which is scheduled to begin on December 09 in Multan.
