Watch: Haris Rauf danced on stage to prove that he was, indeed, fit for the World Cup in response to a question by a journalist at a media session in Lahore today (September 25).

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Rauf sustained a side strain during Pakistan’s Asia Cup Super Fours clash against India and was ruled out from bowling on the reserve day of the match. He didn’t feature in Pakistan’s next game against Sri Lanka, raising doubts over his availability for the World Cup.

However, he was named in Pakistan’s final squad for the World Cup and claimed that he was fully fit today (September 25) in a media interaction in Lahore. The manner in which he “proved” his fitness, though, prompted amusement.

On being asked about his fitness, Rauf moved his body around, breaking into a dance while being seated on a chair, and said, “Bilkul theek ji (I’m totally fine, Sir)”.

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Rauf has been one of Pakistan’s leading white-ball seamers for a while now. From 28 ODIs, he has picked 53 wickets at an average of 24.32. They have already lost the services of Naseem Shah as he has been ruled out of the World Cup with a shoulder injury. Losing Rauf would have been a severe blow, but Pakistan would be pleased to have him fit and available for the marquee tournament.

Naseem Shah has been replaced by Hassan Ali, who last played an ODI in June 2022, in the Pakistan squad for the World Cup. Pakistan’s World Cup campaign starts on October 6 with a match against the Netherlands in Hyderabad.

Watch Haris Rauf dance on stage to “prove” his fitness ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup:

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