LAHORE (Kashmir English): Pakistan’s star fast bowler Haris Rauf is facing an uncertain cricketing future as he recovers from a hamstring injury that could keep him out of the upcoming West Indies series. The 30-year-old pacer picked up a Grade-1 hamstring strain while playing in the U.S.-based Major League Cricket (MLC) tournament for the San Francisco Unicorns.
The injury occurred during a match on July 4 against the Texas Super Kings, forcing Haris Rauf to leave the field early and miss the remainder of the tournament. Despite a strong MLC campaign where he claimed 17 wickets in 8 matches, his season came to a halt at a crucial time.
According to sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Rauf will commence his rehabilitation process at the NCA from Monday. His participation in the West Indies tour remains uncertain and is contingent upon clearance from the PCB’s medical panel.
“Haris Rauf will undergo a structured rehab programme under the supervision of the medical team,” a source said, adding that a final decision on his inclusion in the squad for the Caribbean series will be made following a thorough medical assessment.
However, sources suggest his participation remains in doubt, depending on how quickly he responds to treatment. The PCB has not yet confirmed whether a replacement will be named for the upcoming matches.
The Pakistan-West Indies series, set to be played in August, is considered an important part of Pakistan’s preparation ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for early next year.
In addition to the West Indies series, Haris Rauf is also expected to miss the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, which starts on July 20. This adds further pressure on Pakistan’s pace bowling attack, which relies heavily on Rauf’s speed and experience in T20 cricket.
The PCB is expected to make a final decision on Haris Rauf’s availability after reviewing his progress over the next couple of weeks. For now, fans and selectors alike are hoping for a speedy recovery, especially with important international tours and tournaments lined up later in the year.
