Haris Rauf appreciates Mohammad Amir ahead of Ireland, England series

LAHORE: Pakistan’s pacer Haris Rauf appreciated Mohammad Amir, who recently took his retirement back, saying that he gets to learn a lot from the left-arm pacer as the Ireland and England T20I series nears.

Rauf got injured during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 and remained on the sidelines for three months. He returned to practice last month and was eventually named in Pakistan’s squad that will play Ireland and England before the T20 World Cup 2024.

Talking to media persons on Sunday, Rauf opened up on his journey of returning from the injury, saying it is always difficult to come back from an injury.

“It is always difficult to return from an injury, I’m trying to get back in rhythm,” Rauf said during a media interaction. “Having fast bowlers in the team will be beneficial, [I] get to learn a lot from Mohammad Amir.

“We played great cricket in the last World Cup, we reached the final. We are now trying not to repeat those mistakes. We will do our best to bring happiness to our people.”

Pakistan’s left-handed batter Saim Ayub also talked to media persons on Saturday wherein he admitted that he needs to play a better innings as the 21-year-old is yet to play a big knock for the Green Shirts in T20Is.

“I try to play different shots, I have to play better innings,” said the batter. “I’m only thinking of the future. I try to play according to whatever the role the management gives me.”

Pakistan team will play three T20Is in Ireland, followed by four in England. After the England series, Pakistan will leave for the United States to feature in the T20 World Cup.

The 18-player squad, which was announced for Ireland and England T20Is, will be reduced to 15 players for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will begin on June 1, after the first T20I against England on May 22.

Pakistan squad for Ireland, England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan