Cricket

Elite athletes often face demanding schedules, leaving little time for personal pursuits. However, Pakistan's Haris Rauf has experienced the unexpected benefits of an enforced break from cricket due to a shoulder injury.After opting out of Pakistan's Test series in Australia to play in the Big Bash, Rauf faced the consequences of his decision with the loss of his central contract. However, fate intervened when an untimely dive during the PSL final resulted in a dislocated shoulder, sidelining him for three months.The extended layoff provided Rauf with an opportunity to reassess his game and recover physically. "I was injured the last few months, but if you believe in yourself, then the layoff can be a blessing in disguise," he said. "Because you have time to recover and reassess your gameplans."Upon his return to competitive cricket in Birmingham, Rauf showcased his resilience, taking two wickets for 34 in his allocated spell. While his Powerplay over proved costly, he maintained consistent pace and accuracy throughout the rest of his spell.Despite Pakistan's loss in the match, Rauf remained optimistic. "When you lose a game it hurts, but as a team, we are confident," he said. "We feel we can beat any opposition on any day. We've done it in the past, too. When you make mistakes you learn and try not to repeat those mistakes."Rauf acknowledged the challenges of returning from a long-term injury, particularly for a fast bowler. "It's hard," he said. "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."Pakistan's preparations for the upcoming World Cup include extensive match practice, with 17 T20Is scheduled by the end of this series. Rauf believes that winning the remaining two games against England would boost their confidence, but emphasizes the importance of learning from both victories and defeats."Before the World Cup, if you win a series it gives you confidence, but even if you lose you understand where you made mistakes and you learn from them," he said. "This series is difficult, but we'll try to win it. The focus is of course on the World Cup, which we aim to win to make our country proud."