Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf is eagerly awaiting his return to the cricket field ahead of the upcoming limited-overs series against New Zealand on home soil. Rauf was recently rested for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, and he believes that the break has allowed him to rest and recharge his batteries.
In an interview with Geo News, Rauf expressed his excitement for the upcoming New Zealand series, which he believes is essential for Pakistan’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup. He also acknowledged that despite New Zealand not having a roster of well-known players, they still possess experienced international players.
Rauf also expressed satisfaction with the resources available in Pakistan’s fast bowling department, saying that the competition among the fast bowlers is increasing and that having a backup in the department is an advantage. He also praised the inclusion of Ihsanullah in the squad, saying that the cricketing world speaks highly of Pakistani bowlers.
Pakistan has announced its squads for both the T20I and ODI formats. The T20I squad comprises Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Zaman Khan. Meanwhile, the ODI squad features Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Usama Mir. The reserves are Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Tayyab Tahir.
As Pakistan prepares to take on New Zealand, Rauf and the rest of the squad will be hoping to perform well and gain valuable experience ahead of the World Cup. Pakistan has a proud history in cricket and will be looking to add to its trophy cabinet with success in the upcoming series.