Haris, Azam claim they are fully fit

LAHORE: Pakistan’s pacer Haris Rauf on Sunday claimed that he feels “stronger” than before following his recovery from a shoulder injury which he developed during the PSL 9.

“You are not in that shape when you return from injury. Personally I am very much satisfied with myself and I feel that I have become stronger than before,” Haris told a group of reporters here at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore after a training session.

Haris said that he has done massive workout to improve his fitness and line and length during the last few weeks. “The time you get due to injury you can relax yourself well and you can work on your mistakes. In the last ten to 12 weeks I have tried to correct my line and length and improve my fitness and I feel that I am stronger than before,” Haris said.

However he said that he is doing his best to regain his required rhythm. “It’s not easy to climb on the track after injury. I am trying to catch the rhythm again. The way I am bowling I feel fine. The management is also backing and helping me. I am very much confident as far as fitness is concerned,” Haris said.

“You cannot deny when you get an opportunity to play for Pakistan. It’s a matter of pride when you serve your country in whatever situation you are but I think it’s a pride moment for you to serve Pakistan,” said Haris.

Haris said that he is doing good training. “I am bowling eight to ten overs daily. You are to do long spells in order to catch rhythm,” Haris said. Haris said that he has cleared all fitness tests which show that he is fit again.

“You can know the level at which you are. You try to fulfil the international cricket requirements and your fitness tests are conducted in order to assess how fit you are and

how you can deliver in international circuit. I have cleared all fitness tests and it shows that I am fit,” Haris said. The forthcoming Ireland and England series will be a real test for Haris to prove his fitness.

The selectors have already picked Hasan Ali as his back-up. If Haris achieves top rhythm before the World Cup it will help Pakistan which also has solid pacers in the shape of Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir and Naseem Shah.

Meanwhile stumper Azam Khan, who missed New Zealand series due to torn calf muscles, also confirmed his fitness. “I am hundred percent fit now. When a player becomes fit he knows it well. I am doing 120 balls keeping and batting and thanks God I am okay,” he told reporters.

Azam received Grade-1 tear in his calf muscles during net practice that put him out of the New Zealand series. He said that it’s good to see a handful of solid wicket-keeper batsmen contesting for the sole slot in Pakistan’s team.

“Yes there should be healthy competition among players not like personal but there should be professional competition and it’s good for Pakistan cricket when you feel that there are three stumpers who can compete at international level and I think it helps Pakistan also,” Azam said.