Mohammad Amir: “I think it will be foolish to risk his career for three matches of a tournament because he won’t be able to give his 100 percent”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir believes it was foolish for the selectors to let fast bowler Haris Rauf participate in the 2025 Champions Trophy just after he picked up an injury.
Rauf sustained a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region in the opening game of the ODI tri-series against New Zealand.
He missed the remainder of the series, which also included South Africa.
However, the 31-year-old was back playing for Pakistan in the first match of the Champions Trophy against New Zealand.
Amir was shocked that Rauf returned after such a short period of time, questioning if the injury he had was able to heal properly. Additionally, the 32-year-old doesn’t believe Rauf was able to “give his 100 percent”.
“I think it will be foolish to risk his career for three matches of a tournament because he won’t be able to give his 100 percent,” he was quoted as saying by A Sports.
Rauf, who is capable of bowling at speeds over 150 kph, took two wickets in two matches in the Champions Trophy at an average of 67.50.
Pakistan lost to New Zealand and India, which resulted in them getting eliminated in the group stage.
Their final match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
The men in green will now embark on a tour of New Zealand, where they will play five T20Is and three ODIs from March 16 to April 5.
Pakistan Squad for T20I Series against New Zealand: Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan
Pakistan Squad for ODI Series against New Zealand: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Khan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir
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