Haris Rauf tested for 'rib sprain' ahead of World Cup 2023 match against England

KOLKATA: Pakistan's right-arm fast bowler Haris Rauf Monday got tested for a possible rib sprain ahead of the Green Shirts' World Cup match against defending champions England.

Previously, the 30-year-old, after conceding 85 runs in 10 overs, left the field during the New Zealand match as well due to experiencing a rib sprain.

The pacer has undergone an MRI in Kolkata with the team management also confirming the pacer's test terming it as a "routine" medical procedure reassuring that the test report is "not concerning," sources told Geo News.

Rauf's injury scare comes as Shadab Khan, the team's Vice-Captain, suffered a concussion in a South Africa match on October 27.

The leg-spinner since then has not played another match and didn't feature in the New Zealand match on November 4 last week as well.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan's chances of qualifying for the World Cup semi-final still remain difficult as their destiny isn't entirely in their hands.

The Men in Green will face off against England in a must-win match on November 11 in Kolkata but their destiny — for progression into the semis — will likely be decided before that as the two teams Babar-led side is dependent on, Afghanistan and New Zealand, will have played their remaining matches by then.

Firstly, Afghanistan have to play two more matches in the World Cup which, by any means, are not easy as they will be against the in-form teams of Australia and South Africa on November 7 and November 10, respectively.

If Afghanistan win both matches, they will qualify directly with 12 points, above New Zealand and Pakistan.

However, Pakistan's direct contention is with New Zealand right now as both teams have to play one more match but the Black Caps have the upper hand on net run rate (NRR), they play the struggling Sri Lanka side on November 9 in Bengaluru.

New Zealand is currently ranked fourth with 0.398 NRR while Pakistan is fifth with 0.036 NRR.