Asia Cup 2023: Injury crisis strikes Pakistan’s pace attack before match against Sri Lanka

In a dramatic turn of events at the Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan’s fast-bowling duo, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, faced a serious setback during their Super 4 clash against India at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The duo’s injuries cast doubt over their participation in the remainder of the tournament, leaving Pakistan in a precarious situation.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) swiftly responded by naming Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan as potential replacements for the crucial matches ahead. Although the PCB chose to keep the details of Haris and Naseem’s injuries under wraps, it became apparent that their chances of featuring in Pakistan’s must-win Super 4 match against Sri Lanka were slim.

With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup just weeks away, the Pakistan team management couldn’t afford to jeopardize the fitness of two of their premier fast bowlers. In a statement issued on Monday, the PCB emphasized that this precautionary measure was aimed at ensuring the well-being of the players as they prepared for the upcoming World Cup. Both Haris and Naseem would remain under the watchful eye of the team’s medical panel. Only if their injuries persisted and they were ruled out for the next seven days would the team management request a replacement from the ACC technical committee.

The India vs. Pakistan encounter was a two-day affair due to persistent rain interruptions. The Pakistan bowlers had to endure grueling conditions as they returned to complete the remaining 25.5 overs on the reserve day. Unfortunately, Haris Rauf did not take the field on the reserve day, citing discomfort in his right flank. Although scans did not reveal any significant tears, he was given much-needed rest as a precautionary measure. Haris had already bowled 5 overs on the previous day before his ailment forced him to step aside.

In contrast, Naseem Shah suffered an injury towards the end of India’s innings on the reserve day. After delivering just two balls in the 49th over, he made the tough decision to leave the field. The remaining four deliveries in the over were bowled by part-time off-spinner Iftikhar Ahmed.

Neither Haris nor Naseem were able to contribute with the bat either, as Pakistan found themselves considered all out when India claimed their eighth wicket, securing their most significant victory over their arch-rivals by a margin of 228 runs. Given the match’s hopeless situation, the Pakistan team management wisely opted not to expose their injured fast bowlers to bat, focusing instead on their recovery and rehabilitation in preparation for future challenges.