Haris Rauf, a fast bowler for Pakistan, claimed that his injury layoff before the 2024 T20 World Cup was a godsend. After the World Cup, Rauf missed the Australia Test series in December 2023 due to an injury he sustained during the Pakistan Super League earlier this year. Pakistan was compelled to hold a camp where Rauf had also trained to concentrate on the players' level of fitness.
Together with regulars Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, and the returning Mohammed Amir, the right-arm fast bowler made his comeback to the national team. Before the postponed third Twenty20 International match against England, Rauf discussed the advantages of the layoff.
"I was injured the last few months but if you believe in yourself, then the layoff can be a blessing in disguise," he said at a press conference ahead of Pakistan's third T20I against England.
"Because you have time to recover and reassess your game plans. I felt good coming back to cricket. When you play for your country, it makes you very proud," Rauf further added.
Rauf would be fired up for the T20 World Cup despite missing the home series against New Zealand and the subsequent away series against Ireland. Rauf's unrefined speed may present Pakistan with both advantages and disadvantages in the flat decks of the United States of America. Regarding the psychological side of his comeback, Rauf acknowledged that it was challenging to keep up his best speed and accuracy but expressed confidence that he would soon be back to his best.
"It's hard. It's a struggle during your rehab, and it's difficult when you come back to maintain that pace and accuracy. But if you believe in yourself, it makes things easier. When I wasn't in the team and rehabbing, I had a lot of time to think about my game and work on myself. Thankfully I'm back now, and the [T20] World Cup is coming up," concluded Rauf.
On June 6 in Texas, Pakistan will play the United States in their opening encounter of the T20 World Cup 2024.