Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has provided an encouraging fitness update on Haris Rauf, confirming that the speedster is back to his full rhythm ahead of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand on Wednesday in Karachi.
The tournament marks the return of the ICC Champions Trophy after seven years, with Pakistan set to defend their 2017 title. However, ahead of their high-stakes opener, concerns had emerged over Rauf’s fitness after he sustained a muscle strain in the ODI tri-nation series against New Zealand last week. The pacer walked off the field after bowling 6.2 overs in the first innings and did not return to complete his spell. He also missed the batting innings, raising doubts over his availability for the Champions Trophy.
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Addressing these concerns, Rizwan assured that Rauf has regained full fitness and is ready to take the field.
“Haris bowled 80 per cent yesterday, and today he is bowling at his full rhythm. He told us that he is not feeling any discomfort, so I hope he is fully fit,” Rizwan told reporters, as quoted by Geo News.
The Champions Trophy 2025 is a historic event for Pakistan, marking the country’s first major ICC tournament in nearly three decades. As international cricket action returns to Pakistan, Rizwan emphasized the significance of the occasion and encouraged fans to celebrate the tournament.
“A global event has come to Pakistan after 29 years, so I think the whole nation should enjoy this historic occasion,” he stated.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s resilience through years of international cricket isolation, Rizwan highlighted the team’s past triumphs despite challenges.
“Pakistan has suffered enough and for a long time, but we have also won during this phase, like the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup,” he added.
Pakistan’s tournament opener against New Zealand will be a crucial test, as the Blackcaps have already beaten them twice in the lead-up to the event. The two teams recently met in the ODI tri-nation series final, where New Zealand outclassed Pakistan by effortlessly chasing down a 242-run target with several overs to spare.
Despite these setbacks, Rizwan remained confident in his team’s ability to bounce back.
“There shouldn’t be any doubts about our performance. We may not have played to our abilities, but we all want to win the event for the country and the people,” he affirmed.
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