Pakistan’s thundering pacer, Haris Rauf, has made a successful return to international cricket following an injury layoff lasting over four months. Rauf, who was instrumental in Pakistan’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign, faced a challenging period as his contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was terminated. This decision came after Rauf prioritized his physical well-being and workload management, leading to a temporary fallout with the PCB. Despite the setback, Rauf participated in four matches for the Melbourne Stars in the 2023/24 Big Bash League, a move that further strained relations with the board.
Rauf’s form saw fluctuations during the 2023/24 Pakistan Super League, and an unfortunate shoulder dislocation while making a successful diving catch ruled him out for the remainder of the PSL and subsequent series against New Zealand and Ireland. Reflecting on his injury during a press conference before the abandoned third T20I against England, Rauf shared his optimistic outlook.
“I was injured the last few months. If you believe in yourself, then the layoff can be a blessing in disguise,” Rauf said. “You have time to recover and reassess your game plans. I felt good coming back to cricket. When you play for your country, it makes you very proud.”
Rauf emphasized the significance of effective time management and the opportunity to reevaluate his plans during recovery. He expressed immense pride and happiness in representing Pakistan again, describing his return as a moment of fulfillment.
“It’s hard. It’s a struggle during your rehab, and it’s difficult when you come back to maintain that pace and accuracy,” Rauf admitted. “But, if you believe in yourself, it makes things easier. When I wasn’t in the team and rehabbing, I had a lot of time to think about my game and work on myself.”
Despite the challenges, Rauf highlighted the importance of self-belief in overcoming obstacles. He used his time away from the team for introspection and self-improvement, both physically and mentally. Rauf expressed gratitude for his return to the squad and conveyed his excitement for the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
“Thankfully, I’m back now, and the [T20] World Cup is coming up,” Rauf concluded, signaling his readiness and enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament.
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