Pakistan drafts backup pacers after Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah sustain injuries in Super Fours match against India 

Pakistan's Asia Cup 2023 campaign has taken a major hit as star pacers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah are in danger of being ruled out of the tournament. The development comes after both were injured during their Super Fours match against India at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to reveal the extent of their injury, but for now, they are unlikely to feature in the upcoming match against Sri Lanka.

Rauf was injured on 'Day 1' (September 10) of the IND vs. PAK Super Fours match and did not take part in the Reserve Day. Pakistan’s bowling coach Morne Morkel had said that Rauf had "pulled an oblique muscle". Meanwhile, Naseem went off in the 49th over of India's batting innings after injuring his shoulder and did not come out to bat in the second innings of the match.

“This is only a precautionary measure keeping in mind the fitness and well-being of the players ahead of the Men's Cricket World Cup next month. Haris and Naseem will continue to remain under the observation of the team’s medical panel. The team management will only request replacement from the ACC technical committee if Naseem or Haris are ruled out for the next seven days,” a PCB media release stated.

Pakistan would not want to take any risk as ODI World Cup approaches

With the ODI World Cup around the corner, Pakistan would not want their key players to take any sort of risks and in a sign of that, the PCB has picked Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan as backups for the duo for the rest of the tournament. Rauf's absence hurt Pakistan well as their bowling attack conceded 356 runs on the back of scintillating centuries from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. In reply, the Indian bowling unit led by Kuldeep Yadav (5/25) bundled out the opposition for just 128 runs and recorded a huge victory of 228 runs.

Dahani, a right-arm pacer, has played 2 ODIs and 11 T20Is for the Men in Green and has taken one and eight wickets, respectively, in each format. On the other hand, right-arm seamer Zaman Khan, who has yet to play the 50-over format, has represented Pakistan in six T20Is, taking four wickets. Both have performed well in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as well.