India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2023: Here's why Haris Rauf isn't bowling on Reserve Day of Super Four clash

Pakistan were dealt with a blow on the Reserve Day of their Asia Cup Super Four clash against India with pacer Haris Rauf set to remain on the sidelines on Monday.

Rauf had bowled five overs for 27 runs on Sunday during Pakistan’s second meeting against India in the 16th edition of the continental event, conceding two boundaries and six wides.

The right-arm pacer had earlier grabbed three wickets for 58 runs in the Group A fixture between the two sides in Pallekele, when Pakistan had restricted India to 266 before incessant rain resulted in a washout. He is also the leading wicket taker in the ongoing Asia Cup with nine wickets at a superb average of 13.33, including a match-winning haul of 4/19 in the Super Four match Bangladesh in Lahore.

LIVE: India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup Super Four (Reserve Day) match in Colombo

On Monday, however, the 29-year-old was rested by the Pakistan team management as a precautionary measure, with bowling coach Morne Morkel saying he had ‘pulled an oblique muscle’. The Men in Green are being extra-cautious with Rauf’s fitness and workload keeping in mind the upcoming ICC World Cup in India, where he will be expected to play a key role in the pace unit.

“He started feeling his oblique muscle last night. He had a scan and it revealed some inflammation. With the World Cup round the corner, it is precautionary and we’ll have to use the other boys to fill the overs,” former South Africa pacer Morkel told Star Sports ahead of restart of play.

Play, meanwhile, got off to a delayed start on the reserve day as well thanks to some afternoon showers. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul finally walked out to the centre and resumed India’s innings from their overnight score of 147/2 at 4.40 pm local time, an hour and 40 minutes from the official start time.

Read | What happens if India vs Pakistan Super Four clash gets washed out?

The duo had built a steady partnership on Sunday, but would flourish against the Pakistan attack the subsequent day, stretching their partnership past the hundred mark with India reaching 225/2 at the end of the 35-over mark.

Rahul, making his first competitive appearance since suffering a thigh injury during the Indian Premier League in May, was particularly harsh on the Pakistanis, racing to his 14th ODI half-century with a flurry of fours and sixes.