Pakistan fans can breathe a sigh of relief—Haris Rauf is fit and ready for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand on Wednesday. After being sidelined with a muscular strain in his lower chest wall, the fiery pacer is back just in time for the big stage.
Injury Scare Behind Him
Haris picked up the injury during Pakistan’s first match of the tri-nation series against New Zealand. His absence left a void, with Akif Javed stepping in as a replacement. But now, a source close to the team has confirmed that the speedster has made a full recovery.
“Haris is completely fine now. The rest after the first match of the tri-series helped him recover well,” the source revealed.
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The good news doesn’t stop there—no other players in the squad have fitness concerns heading into the Champions Trophy.
Amir’s Warning Raises Eyebrows
However, not everyone is convinced that Haris is ready. Mohammad Amir, a former Pakistan pacer, recently expressed concern over Haris’s fitness.
“If Haris Rauf has a side strain, he cannot recover fully before six weeks. If it’s just stiffness, that’s different. But a grade one or two side strain takes at least six weeks to heal, and then rehab begins,” Amir explained.
Drawing from his own experience, Amir recalled suffering a similar injury during the PSL a few years ago.
“If it’s a grade one or two side strain, I don’t think Haris can play the Champions Trophy,” he added.
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Is It Worth the Risk?
Amir didn’t mince words when he called it “foolish” to risk Haris’s career for just a few matches.
“It will be foolish to risk his career for three matches because he won’t be able to give his 100 per cent,” Amir stated bluntly.
This has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike. Should Pakistan take the risk? Or is it better to prioritize Haris’s long-term fitness, even if it means missing out on his pace during the Champions Trophy?
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