IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023 Super 4: Blow For Pakistan As Haris Rauf Will Miss Action On Reserve Day

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Pakistan suffered a huge blow on Monday (September 11) after pacer Haris Rauf did not take the field on the reserve day for the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four clash against India at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Moments before the India vs Pakistan match, which was pushed into the reserve day due to rain, it was announced that the pacer Rauf won't take the field against after feeling "a little discomfort in his right flank" on Sunday's scheduled match day.

The extent of Rauf's injury is still not clear, but as per the PCB statement the pacer will miss action against India on the reserve day and will be monitored by the team's medical personnel.

"Fast bowler Haris Rauf will not be bowling any further in the Asia Cup Super 4 match against India as a precautionary measure," the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in an official statement.

"He felt a little discomfort in his right flank during the match yesterday and was subsequently taken for a precautionary MRI, which revealed no tear. He remains under the observation of the team's medical panel," the statement further read.

Rauf had bowled 5 overs in the 24.1 overs that were bowled on Sunday (September 10) before rain pushed the game into the reserve day. The Pakistan fast bowling coach Morne Morkel also revealed to the broadcaster of the news and hinted the pacer could miss the remainder of the Asia Cup 2023.

"He (Haris Rauf) started feeling his oblique muscle last night. He had a scan and it revealed some inflammation. With the World Cup round the corner, it is precautionary and we'll have to use the other boys to fill the overs," Morkel said.

Pakistan will have only Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf as fast bowling options in the match against Pakistan, while they will have an option to bring in Mohammad Wasim Jr into the playing 11 for the upcoming matches.

Rauf was the leading wicket-taker in the Asia Cup 2023 with 9 wickets in 4 matches. The pacer, who finished wicketless in his 5 overs on Sunday (September 10), had also claimed three wickets for 58 runs in 10 overs in the earlier match against India and will be a big loss for Pakistan.