Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, has provided an update on the recovery progress of fast bowlers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, reassuring fans that there’s a good chance both players will regain fitness in time for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Naseem and Rauf encountered minor injuries during Pakistan’s Super Four encounter against India at the 2023 Asia Cup. Consequently, they were sidelined for the crucial match against Sri Lanka in Colombo, which ultimately led to Pakistan’s exit from the tournament last Thursday.
During the post-match press conference, Babar expressed confidence in the quick return of these essential pacers to the national squad. However, when discussing Naseem’s recovery, Babar exercised caution, acknowledging that he lacked precise information regarding the timeline for the young fast bowler’s return.
Regarding Haris Rauf’s injury, Babar mentioned that it isn’t severe, primarily a side strain, and he expects Rauf to recover before the World Cup. Concerning Naseem Shah, Babar stated that he anticipates Naseem’s inclusion in the World Cup later on, although the exact recovery period remains uncertain.
It’s worth noting that the relatively inexperienced duo of Zaman Khan and Shahnawaz Dahani stood in for the injured pair during the crucial match. They could be potential contenders to represent Pakistan at the World Cup should Naseem and Rauf not recuperate in time.