Examining the current standings on the Super Four points table, Sri Lanka holds a superior net run rate (+0.420) compared to Pakistan (-1.892).

However, should Sri Lanka manage to upset both India and Pakistan in the Super Four stage, the reigning champions could secure their place in the Asia Cup final. In this situation, Pakistan’s chances would hinge on India losing to Bangladesh. To increase their odds of reaching the final, Pakistan would prefer India to defeat Sri Lanka, eliminating the need for net run rate calculations and allowing for a virtual quarter-final against Sri Lanka to determine the finalist.

Shahnawaz Dahani boasts experience in two ODIs and 11 T20Is for Pakistan, demonstrating his capabilities on the international stage. In contrast, 22-year-old Zaman Khan, with limited exposure in international T20Is, is poised to make his mark as he joins the squad.

Haris Rauf has been a standout performer in the ongoing Asia Cup, leading the wickets tally with nine scalps from his first three games. In the India-Pakistan match, he took three crucial wickets. Alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, Rauf is considered one of the best pace bowlers heading into the ODI World Cup next month. Together, they have amassed 68 wickets in the 50-overs format this year, making them a formidable trio.

In the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) 2023, the San Francisco Unicorns’ (SFU) fast bowler from Pakistan, Haris Rauf, and the Washington Freedom’s (WAF) South African pacer, Anrich Nortje, have ignited a thrilling competition to deliver the fastest balls on the pitch.

Both speedsters have already unleashed the top five fastest deliveries of this inaugural edition. Despite picking up only two and one wicket respectively, Rauf and Nortje have left spectators awestruck with their remarkable pace in the United States.

Haris Rauf currently holds the record for the fastest delivery in Major League Cricket, clocking an incredible 150.1 km/h against the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) on Wednesday, July 19. Additionally, Rauf’s second-fastest delivery reached an impressive 149.6 km/h, securing the second spot on the speedometer. Not to be outdone, he also occupies the fifth position with a lightning-quick delivery at 148.6 km/h.

Anrich Nortje’s rapid bowling for the Washington Freedom is not far behind. His deliveries clocked at 149.2 and 148.7 km/h rank third and fourth, respectively. Such immense pace is a rarity in MLC 2023, with few bowlers, including Kagiso Rabada, capable of matching their speeds.

The thrilling ‘Battle of Speed’ between Haris Rauf and Anrich Nortje is expected to intensify further in the upcoming matches, providing fans with an exhilarating spectacle of pace and skill.

Pakistan also won the second of the five-match T20I series. They beat New Zealand by 38 runs on Saturday night. With this win, the hosts took a 2-0 lead in the series. Babar Azam and Haris Rauf made the biggest contribution to such a victory. Babar brought up the third century of his T20 International career. And Rauf took 4 wickets in the second consecutive match. In Lahore, Pakistan batted first and collected 192 runs for the loss of 4 wickets on Babar’s unbeaten innings of 101 runs. In reply, the Kiwis could not score more than 154 runs after losing 7 wickets. The opening pair of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar scored 99 runs in 10.3 overs. Rizwan returned to this run scoring 50 runs off 34 balls with 6 fours and 1 six. Then Fakhr Zaman and Saim Ayyub returned with 99 and 102 runs. After 105 runs, Imad Wasim returns with 2 runs.

From there, Babar and Iftikhar brought the team a collection of 192 runs. Babar remained unbeaten on 101 runs off 58 balls with 11 fours and 3 sixes. Which is the ninth century in a T20 career. Only Chris Gayle is ahead of him. On the other hand, Iftikhar remained unbeaten on 33 runs off 19 balls with 1 four and 3 sixes. New Zealand’s Matt Henry took 2 wickets with the ball. New Zealand deviated from the target by losing wickets at regular intervals in the run chase. Mark Chapman was the only one fighting for them. He remained unbeaten on 65 off 40 balls with 4 fours and as many sixes. Besides, Chad Bowes scored 26, Tom Latham scored 19 and Cole McConchie scored 12 runs. Rauf took 4 wickets with the ball for 27 runs in 4 overs. Centurion Babar Azam was Man of the Match.

Rangpur Riders posted a video of Haris Rauf on their verified Facebook page. In the caption, he wrote, “On reaching Chittagong in the morning, Rider pacer Haris Rauf made of Rangpur Riders jersey! Riders fans are waiting to see his speed storm in the BPL. ’

The jersey has been handed over to Harris. He will wear the ‘Number 150’ jersey. This Pakistani fast bowler has come to BPL Mata for the first time. The 29-year-old Haris Rauf has been a regular in the Pakistan limited-overs cricket team after winning the PSL for Lahore Qalandars and the Big Bash for The Melbourne Stars.

Haris Rauf, who has become Pakistan’s trusted name in white-ball cricket, has played 1 Test, 18 ODIs, and 57 T20Is. He took 1, 30, and 72 wickets respectively. Haris Rauf has taken 188 wickets in 141 matches in recognized T20.

The good news for the team is that Shaheen will be fully fit before the World Cup, even if he misses the Tri-nation Cup in New Zealand and the upcoming 7-match T20I series against England. The 22-year-old left-arm pacer is undergoing rehabilitation in London to recover from the injury. From there, Shaheen will join the team directly in Brisbane, Australia on October 15.

But even after recovery, former Pakistani pacer Aqib Javed does not want Shaheen in the World Cup. He thinks that Shaheen’s game in the World Cup will not be right. Aqib Javed thinks that Shaheen’s career will end due to another major injury if he takes the field in the World Cup.

In a recent event, Akib said, ‘Fast bowlers like Shaheen Afridi are not born every day. My advice for Shaheen would be to not play in the upcoming T20 World Cup because Shaheen is much more important than this World Cup.