If you believe in yourself, then injury layoff can be blessing in disguise: Haris Rauf

Following an impressive ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign where he was a pivotal pace-bowling asset for Pakistan, Haris Rauf saw a downturn as his contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board was terminated. This came after Rauf cited workload management and the need to prioritize his physical well-being. However, he later participated in four matches for the Melbourne Stars in the 2023/24 Big Bash League, which was docketed to be the main source of the fallout between the two parties.

Following a series of fluctuating performances, both against New Zealand and Lahore Qalandars in the 2023/24 Pakistan Super League, Haris Rauf faced an injury setback. A shoulder dislocation, suffered while executing a successful diving catch rendered him unavailable for the remainder of the PSL and subsequently ruled him out of the upcoming series against New Zealand and Ireland.

Ahead of the eventually canceled third T20I between England and Pakistan, Rauf shared his sentiments during a press conference, exuding faith and belief. He viewed his injury-induced hiatus as potentially beneficial, citing it as a serendipitous boon, stressing the significance of effective time management and the opportunity for reassessing plans during recovery. Moreover, Rauf expressed overwhelming pride and happiness in representing his country once more, describing his return as a moment of immense pride and fulfillment. 

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"I was injured the last few months. If you believe in yourself, then the layoff can be a blessing in disguise. 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 said at a press conference ahead of Pakistan's third T20I (abandoned) against England.

Thankfully I'm back now, and the [T20] World Cup is coming up: Rauf

Additionally, the 30-year-old emphasized the challenges of rehabilitation, highlighting the difficulty of regaining pace and accuracy upon returning. Nevertheless, he emphasized the importance of faith and belief in oneself, stating that they can greatly contribute to overcoming obstacles. Furthermore, he mentioned utilizing his time away from the team for introspection and self-improvement, both physically and mentally. Expressing gratitude for his return to the squad, he expressed excitement for the forthcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.

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"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.