Haris Rauf to Commence Rehabilitation at NCA

LAHORE: Following a hamstring injury sustained during his participation in the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 with the San Francisco Unicorns, Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf is set to undergo a rehabilitation program at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Sources indicate that Rauf is anticipated to start his rehabilitation during the upcoming week. He was previously omitted from Pakistan’s squad for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, which is slated to commence on July 20 in Dhaka.

The recovery process is projected to span approximately 10 to 12 days. Should the right-arm bowler regain complete fitness within this timeframe, his selection for Pakistan’s white-ball tour of the West Indies next month will be considered.

Rauf has delivered remarkable performances in MLC 2025, currently holding the position of second-highest wicket-taker, having secured 17 wickets in eight matches with an economy rate of 9.08.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had previously revealed a 15-member squad for the T20I series against Bangladesh on Tuesday.

Agha Salman will remain as the team’s captain, with Shadab Khan, the vice-captain, and Haris Rauf both sidelined due to their respective injuries.

Shadab recently underwent a successful surgery on his right shoulder in the UK, which had been a source of discomfort for a while.

Meanwhile, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has initiated ticket sales for the approaching white-ball series against Pakistan.

The T20I series is scheduled to kick off on July 31 at the Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida, with the subsequent two matches scheduled for August 2 and 3.

Following this, a three-match ODI series will take place in Trinidad, with matches scheduled for August 8, 10, and 12.

The PCB had earlier suggested converting the ODI series into T20Is to enhance Pakistan’s preparation in the shorter format ahead of the 2025 ACC Men’s Asia Cup and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, both of which will be contested in the T20 format.

However, despite ongoing discussions, CWI appears to be committed to adhering to the originally agreed tour schedule.

Although no official statement has been released, sources suggest that the West Indies board is resolute in maintaining the existing schedule, which encompasses both the T20I and ODI series.

Pakistan squad for Bangladesh T20I series:

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza and Sufyan Moqim