Pakistani pace duo of Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah are in danger of being ruled out of Asia Cup 2023 due to injuries in their Super 4 clash against India at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. (More Cricket News)
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) acted swiftly and called in Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan as backups for the remainder of the tournament. Despite not knowing the full length of Haris and Naseem's injuries, it is learnt that both the pacers are unlikely to participate in Pakistan's must-win Super 4 match against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
Furthermore, Babar Azam must be a worried man as the injuries struck just with the ODI World Cup around the corner.
"This is only a precautionary measure keeping in mind the fitness and well-being of the players ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup next month. Haris and Naseem will continue to remain under the observation of the team’s medical panel. The team management will only request a replacement from the ACC technical committee if Naseem or Haris are ruled out for the next seven days," said PCB in a media release late on Monday.
The India vs Pakistan match was played over two days due to rain delays. The Men In Green had to come back on Monday to finish off the pending 25.5 overs. However, Haris was not seen on the ground as the PCB later informed that the pacer had complained of a 'discomfort in his right flank'. Although scans revealed there was no tear, Rauf was rested as a precaution.
Naseem suffered a hand injury and walked off the field during the 49th over.
On the cricketing front, Virat Kohli scored his 47th ODI century while KL Rahul too amassed a ton as India thrashed a listless Pakistan by record 228-run margin in a rain-marred Super Four game of the Asia Cup on Sunday.
This is India's biggest win in terms of runs against the cross-border neighbours. India posted an imposing 356 for 2, as Kohli (122 not out off 94 balls) and Rahul (111 not out off 106 balls), who scored his sixth ODI hundred, pummelled a hapless Pakistan to submission. Babar Azam-led team's chase ended at 128 for 8 as Kuldeep Yadav (5/25) scythed through them.
(With PTI inputs)
