PAK vs ENG 2nd Test: Haris Rauf ruled out due to a quad injury

PAK vs ENG 2nd Test: There comes a massive blow for the trailing Pakistani team as their veteran paceman Haris Rauf has been ruled out of the upcoming second test against England due to a quad injury. The second Test is scheduled to take place in Multan on December 9.

Haris Rauf sustained a quad injury while fielding on Day 2. He mistakenly stepped on the ball which resulted in a strain on his right leg after which the quickie did not take the field to bowl again. Though Haris batted in the first innings, his deteriorating injury did not allow him to bowl and field in the second innings.

Haris created havoc on his test debut and conceded massive runs. He gave away 78 runs in 13 overs and was the most expensive paceman on Day 1. Haris was not successful to create the same level of impact as with the white ball in ODI’s and T-20I’s. However, the senior paceman has undergone MRI scans and will likely miss the rest of the series.

PAK vs ENG 2nd Test: Mohammed Wasim Jr might get a call-up in place of Haris Rauf

The Pakistani side is now in serious trouble. Having already lost contemplating paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi to surgery, Haris Rauf’s injury might have deepened the woes of a struggling Pakistani side. Pakistan’s bowling attack seemed to be quite decent in the first test that gave away visitors a key to victory in a historic test match.

Pakistan will now explore options to replace Rauf in the incumbent 18-member squad. Though Naseem Shah and Mohammed Ali seemed impressive, they will need a vital backup. The odds favor Mohammed Wasim Jr. to get a seat in the XI but the team management will also consider the likes of Hasan Ali and Mohammad Abbas.

Notably, Pakistan also hesitated to pick a full-fledged all-rounder that too had cost the first test. Faheem Ashraf and Mohammed Nawaz are the front-runner players to find a place and it will be interesting to find the support staff’s decision.

Talking about the match, Pakistan lost the first test against England by 74 runs and gave away the visitors a 1-0 lead in the three-match test series.