Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf has tested COVID-19 positive before the opening Test versus Australia, which has been scheduled to commence on March 4 in Rawalpindi. This could rule him out of competition for the opening Test match, where he would have made his debut in Tests if selected in the Playing XI. Here in this article, we have discussed Haris Rauf Tests Covid Positive Before 1st Test Against Australia.
Rauf has indeed been placed in isolation for the time being but will most certainly be pulled out of the 1st Test in Rawalpindi, which commences on Friday. Rauf has still yet to face a Test for Pakistan, but he’s in the race when Hasan Ali & Faheem Ashraf withdrew due to injuries sustained in the PSL days ago.
PCB mulling to bring a suitable replacement for Haris Rauf
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has summoned Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Wasim Jr to substitute the duo, although they may be asked to turn to their bench players, namely Mohammad Abbas & Naseem Shah.
Furthermore, Australia batsman Steve Smith has cleared up cricket spectators’ fears by stating that the squad feels really comfortable in Pakistan. This occurs following spin bowler Ashton Agar’s wife received death threats, advising her husband not to tour Pakistan with the Aussie squad.
PCB determined that the threat was not genuine and did not present a concern throughout their investigations. Cricket Australia (CA), however, stated that significant security preparations for such social media interactions were in existence and that the concern was “not regarded a problem.” Steve Smith has also stated that the whole Australian delegation has faith in the safety cover provided by the Pakistan Board.
“We’re aware of social media and the unfortunate events that can occur on platforms. We’ve got a lot of people working here with us, we trust our security and we’re feeling incredibly safe in Pakistan,” said Steve Smith.
Furthermore, Australia is on a historic bilateral tour to Pakistan, which has lasted more than 24 years. As a result, with only a few days to go, this all-format series will be incredibly exciting to watch.
Pakistan Test squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood.
Reserves: Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah.
Haris Rauf is likely to be forced out of the first Test match against Australia, despite a positive COVID-19 test result, has been put in to Isolation period. If he tests negative following the required isolation period, he will rejoin for the 2nd game to make his test debut.
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