Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf has been ruled of the remainder of three-Test series against England after getting injured in the series opener at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on December 1. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a press release said Rauf has suffered a "grade-II strain in his right quad".
The debutant rolled over the ball while fielding on Day 1 of the Test. He underwent an MRI scan as well.
"The scans and the subsequent assessment by the PCB medical staff concluded that the fast bowler suffered a grade-II strain," a statement from PCB said.
"Haris will travel to Lahore where he will begin his rehabilitation at the National High Performance Centre."
The 29-year-old bowled in the first innings and managed to take the wicket of opener Zak Crawley. He conceded 78 runs from his 13 overs including one maiden. Crawley who scored 122 runs from 11 deliveries became Rauf's maiden Test wicket.
Rauf could not bowl in the second innings as Babar Azam tackled a rampant English batting lineup with just four main bowlers. He did come out to bat in the third session on Day 5 but his stay at the crease was short-lived. England’s 40-year-old pacer James Anderson trapped him in front of the crease to dismiss him for a two-ball duck.
After Rauf’s wicket, Naseem Shah and no.11 batter Mohammad Ali resisted the English bowling attack for a while. But Ben Stokes opted for new ball and gave it to left-arm spinner Jack Leach who hit Naseem’s front pad to help the visitors win the match with few minutes left on the clock.
Playing their first Test on Pakistan soil after a long gap of 17 years, England won the Test by 74 runs to dim Pakistan's chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 final.
Pakistan will be without Rauf's services for the remainder of the series. In his absence, Mohammad Wasim Jr or Faheem Ashraf may walk into the side for the second Test starting December 9 at Multan Cricket Stadium.
