Senior pacer Haris Rauf appears to be a bit of a concern for Pakistan ahead of their must-win final league-phase clash with England at Eden Gardens on Saturday.
Rauf, along with three other cricketers, went to the Woodlands Hospital on Monday for an MRI on his ribs after experiencing pain. “Fakhar Zaman, and quicks Mohammad Wasim, Zaman Khan and Haris Rauf came here late in the afternoon,” hospital sources said.
“Out of them, Haris, underwent an MRI on his ribs. There isn’t anything too serious in the report though. The others came for regular check-up.”
Rauf, who has been patchy in this World Cup with notable performances coming only against the Netherlands (3/43) and Bangladesh (2/36), was seen in discomfort against
New Zealand in Bangalore. Although Pakistan won the game via DLS method, Rauf had a tough time with the ball.
That said, his experience does matter for Pakistan. Particularly as Pakistan need to beat England by a handsome margin to improve their net run rate and stay in contention for the semi-finals.
Since their return to Calcutta on Sunday evening, the Pakistan squad spent most of the time at the team hotel (JW Marriott). Pacer Hasan Ali visited a shopping mall with wife Samiya in the evening, while captain Babar Azam and keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan had a brief pool session.
The team, it was learnt, may go for a movie at a multiplex on Tuesday afternoon or evening. Early in the morning, a player, along with a member of the support staff, is likely to visit the Royal Calcutta Golf Club for a round of golf.
