The news of Lahore Qalandars’ pacer, Haris Rauf, being sidelined from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to a shoulder dislocation reverberated through the cricketing community.
The defending champions, in a Facebook statement, conveyed the unfortunate development, citing the injury sustained during a gripping encounter against Karachi Kings as the reason for Rauf’s exit. The dislocated shoulder occurred as he completed a crucial catch to dismiss Hasan Ali in the 20th over of the match.
Despite Rauf’s commendable performance in the match, where he bowled the most economical four overs, conceding 22 runs and taking a wicket, the injury prognosis indicated a recovery period of four to six weeks.
This timeframe rules him out for the remainder of the PSL season, dealing a blow to Lahore Qalandars’ bowling unit already missing the services of spinner Rashid Khan.
Team director Sameen Rana emphasized that while Rauf’s absence is a setback for the franchise, the decision to prioritize his national prospects and avoid risking his future with the Pakistan team was a pragmatic one. Lahore Qalandars, yet to secure a victory in the ongoing PSL, will now need to regroup and adjust their strategy in the absence of Rauf’s impactful contributions.
Shaheen Afridi, the team’s captain, expressed sadness over the setback but maintained confidence in the team’s ability to rise to the occasion. Afridi acknowledged Rauf as Pakistan’s main bowler and stressed the importance of a realistic approach, allowing sufficient time for his recovery. The cricketing community now awaits Rauf’s return, hoping to see him back on the field stronger than ever after this challenging period.
