Mohammad Haris Archives

Mike Hesson breaks silence on Mohammad Haris’ exclusion from T20I squad

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has opened up on the exclusion of wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris from the T20I squad for the series against South Africa.

The 24-year-old, who debuted in 2022, has featured in 35 T20Is, scoring 555 runs at an average of 17.34, including one century and a fifty.

He was part of the Pakistan squad in the recent ACC T20 Asia Cup 2025, where he began brightly with a half-century against Oman but could not sustain his form, finishing the tournament with 131 runs in six innings at 21.83.

Mike Hesson, while speaking to reporters at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, said Haris had been given “ample opportunities” to cement his place in the national side but failed to make them count.

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“Mohammad Haris has had plenty of chances, and even he would admit he hasn’t made the most of them,” Hesson remarked.

He also advised the wicketkeeper-batter to focus on improving his decision-making when playing his shots.

“I wouldn’t say his career is over, but he needs to improve his decision-making with the bat. Even in domestic cricket, his batting average is around 17, the same as in international cricket,” he added.

Notably, Haris has now been replaced by Usman Khan, who returns to the side after last playing in the T20I series against New Zealand earlier this year.

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Hesson explained that Usman’s inclusion was based on conditions and team balance ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

“Usman Khan is a very good player of spin,” Hesson said.

“We see a wicketkeeper batting more through the middle than at the top, and with the World Cup in Sri Lanka, handling spin will be crucial. That’s why Usman was given the opportunity.”

Usman, who has represented Pakistan in 19 T20Is, has 239 runs at an average of 14.93 and a strike rate of 121.93, with one half-century to his name.

READ: PCB reveals pink kit for first T20I against South Africa

‘I’ll do whatever the team needs’: Mohammad Haris on match-winning knock against Oman

DUBAI: Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Haris opened up after playing an impressive knock against Oman in the fourth fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Haris anchored Pakistan with a sparkling 66 off 43 balls, which lifted them to a 160-run total in their 20 overs. His innings was laced with three maximums and seven boundaries.

After Saim Ayub’s departure in the opening over for a golden duck, Mohammad Haris paired with Sahibzada Farhan to steady Pakistan’s innings.

The duo stitched an 85-run partnership from 64 balls, which eventually lifted them out of trouble.

In reply, Oman faltered in the chase and were eventually bowled for a modest 67 runs in 16.4 overs.

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For Pakistan, Sufiyan Muqeem, Faheem Ashraf, and Saim Ayub picked up two wickets each.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Mohammad Haris reflected on his knock and the conditions for batting.

“Feeling very good. Much-needed innings for me and my side, happy to contribute. When we came here, it was looking good and flat. But when we batted, we were struggling. Good to post that total,” he said.

Haris was promoted to the number three spot after having a lean run while playing down the order. The right-handed batter shed light on his promotion and emphasized team contribution.

“Whatever the team demands, I can accommodate. Even if they ask me to bat at 10, I will be happy to do it. That was what I was doing from last 5-6 years for Pakistan and in the PSL. That is what I like. The skipper also told us to be aggressive, ” he concluded.

Pakistan will now face arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup 2025 high-intensity clash on Sunday, September 14.

READ: Fakhar Zaman hails Saim Ayub as ‘updated version’ of Babar Azam

Former Pakistan captain suggests batting position for Mohammad Haris

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has called for a clearly defined batting role for young wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris ahead of the national team’s Asia Cup 2025 opener against Oman.

Speaking on a local sports platform, Malik stressed the importance of continuity, suggesting that Pakistan must stick with the formula that recently helped them clinch the tri-nation T20I series against Afghanistan and the UAE.

“You’ve just won a series, and the combination that worked should mostly stay the same,” he stated.

“Keep it simple, if a right-hander gets out, Haris should come in at number three, while Fakhar Zaman shifts down. The pattern should remain right-hander for right-hander, left-hander for left-hander.”

The veteran all-rounder explained that Haris’s batting strengths are best suited to the powerplay and that pushing him too far down the order diminishes his effectiveness.

“He isn’t a natural power-hitter, so asking him to finish games doesn’t play to his strengths. He needs to face the new ball, make use of field restrictions, and bat with freedom. That’s when he can add value,” Malik added.

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Highlighting the 24-year-old’s numbers, Shoaib Malik noted that Mohammad Haris has enjoyed his best returns when batting at number three.

“If you look at his recent performances, he scored runs when he played at number three,” he stated.

“The combination hasn’t always worked smoothly, but it should be kept simple: right-hander for right-hander, left-hander for left-hander.”

Haris, who has featured in 28 T20Is, has one century to his name but has struggled in recent months.

He has scored only 54 runs in his last 11 innings, with a string of low scores against Bangladesh, West Indies, and during the recent tri-series.

Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2025

Salman Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.

READ: Punjab Kings in hot water for subbing Pakistan from India match banner

Tanvir Ahmed questions Rizwan’s exclusion amid Haris’ struggles

Former Pakistan fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed has questioned the decision to sideline Mohammad Rizwan following the ongoing struggles of Mohammad Haris in the tri-nation T20I series.

Taking to the social media platform X, Tanvir expressed frustration over the team management’s selection policy after the defeat against Afghanistan.

“If Haris was going to play like this, then why was Mohammad Rizwan deliberately left out of the team?” he asked.

It’s worth noting that Mohammad Haris has endured a torrid run of form in recent months.

Since his century against Bangladesh in June, the wicketkeeper-batter has reached double figures only once in nine innings, a 15-run knock in the tri-series opener.

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His last nine T20I scores read: 4, 0, 5 (vs Bangladesh), 6, 4, 2 (vs West Indies), and 15, 1, 1 (vs UAE and Afghanistan). In total, he has managed just 38 runs across this stretch.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan, along with former skipper Babar Azam, has been out of Pakistan’s T20I setup since December 2024, when both last featured against South Africa. The duo has not been considered in selection plans since.

On the other hand, despite their recent defeat to Afghanistan, Pakistan remain at the top of the tri-series standings with four points from three matches.

Afghanistan is in second place, while the hosts, the UAE, are at the bottom without any wins. Pakistan’s next match will be against the UAE at the same venue on Thursday.

READ: Pakistan’s Haider Ali found not guilty in UK case

Former Pakistan cricketer slams Haris, questions ‘cricketing sense’

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has strongly criticised wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris following Pakistan’s 18-run loss to Afghanistan in the Tri-Series on Tuesday.

Haris, who came in to bat at number seven, managed just one run from four deliveries before falling to veteran spinner Mohammad Nabi.

The dismissal drew sharp remarks from Basit, who accused the young batter of playing “senseless cricket” and failing to learn from his repeated mistakes.

“Haris got out to Nabi. My question is, Nabi was brought on specifically to bowl to a left-handed batter, but you still lost your wicket,” Basit said on his YouTube channel.

“This shows you have no cricketing sense. You’re playing senseless cricket, just swinging for a six to look like a hero.”

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He further questioned Haris’s approach and suggested the team management no longer had confidence in him, pointing to his demotion down the batting order.

“Heroes aren’t born overnight; they’re made through hard work. Haris has been given everything easily. When you’re dropping from number six to number seven, it’s clear the coach doesn’t trust you either,” Basit Ali added.

Since his century against Bangladesh in June, Mohammad Haris has struggled for form, scoring double figures only once in his last nine innings, a 15-run knock in the opening match of the ongoing series.

Despite the defeat, Pakistan still top the standings with four points from three games, while Afghanistan sit second and hosts UAE remain winless at the bottom. Pakistan will next take on the UAE at the same venue on Thursday.

READ: Virat Kohli undergoes fitness Test in London ahead of Australia series

Former pacer slams Mohammad Haris over remarks on Babar Azam’s T20 approach

Former Pakistan pacer Tanveer Ahmed has launched a scathing attack on wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Haris for his comments regarding the approach of Babar Azam in T20 cricket.

A few days earlier, Haris shared his thoughts about Babar Azam’s batting during an interview on a YouTube channel.

Haris was asked whether Babar needs to change his batting style in the shortest format, to which the 24-year-old agreed.

“Fast or slow,” was the interviewer’s follow-up question to which Mohammad Haris replied with a chuckle.

“Yes, he should play fast,” Haris replied in a light-hearted manner.

Now, Tanveer Ahmed has criticized Haris for his remarks, quoting his interview in a tweet on his social media handle.

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“Mohammad Haris, how much bigger a player are you to say that Babar Azam needs to improve his strike rate? Brother, first build your own value, then say something about a world-class player,” Tanveer Ahmed wrote on X.

For context, Mohammad Haris is included in the Pakistan T20I squad for the triangular series and Asia Cup 2025, whereas Babar Azam last played in the shorter format in December 2024 against South Africa.

Babar was axed from the Pakistan squad alongside Mohammad Rizwan amid criticism surrounding their strike rate in T20 cricket.

Notably, the duo stands as the most successful pair in T20Is, having amassed 3,300 runs at an average of 46.47 over 73 innings from 2019 to 2024.

Pakistan Squad for Tri-Series and Asia Cup 2025:

Pakistan: Salman Agha (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem

READ: Two Pakistan legends named in Lockie Ferguson’s all-time Top Five Test Pacers

Ian Bishop questions Mohammad Haris’ demotion in batting order

LAUDERHILL: Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop was left surprised by Pakistan’s decision to send Mohammad Haris down the order during the first T20I at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground on Friday.

Haris only got to face one ball, the final delivery of the innings, but made it count with a towering six to close out Pakistan’s total on a high.

While on commentary, Bishop lauded the wicketkeeper-batter’s clean hit but questioned the logic behind his late entry.

“Mohammad Haris! He does this sort of thing. I’m surprised he has come in so late,” Bishop remarked.

The 24-year-old is usually slotted in at No. 3, a position where he has previously delivered explosive performances, most notably in the home series against Bangladesh earlier this year.

Mohammad Haris was Pakistan’s top scorer in that series with 179 runs in three games, including a brutal 107* off 46 balls laced with eight fours and seven sixes.

However, his recent form in the away series against Bangladesh saw a dip, managing just nine runs in three matches.

For the unversed, after being sent in to bat, Pakistan put up 178-6 in their 20 overs against the West Indies, a total built largely on Saim Ayub’s classy knock.

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The left-hander struck his second T20I fifty, scoring a fluent 57 off 38 with five fours and two sixes.

His 81-run partnership with Fakhar Zaman (28 off 24) laid the foundation after Sahibzada Farhan (14) fell early to a sharp Shamar Joseph delivery.

Saim Ayub brought up his fifty in style before being removed by Holder in the 12th over. Fakhar soon followed, and the innings briefly stuttered.

Hassan Nawaz added a quick 24 off 18, while Faheem Ashraf (16 off 9), skipper Salman Ali Agha (11* off 7), and Mohammad Haris (6*) ensured a strong finish.

For the West Indies, Joseph impressed with 3-30, while Holder, Hosein, and Shepherd claimed one wicket each.

Defending 179, Pakistan restricted the hosts to 164-7, thanks to Mohammad Nawaz and Saim Ayub’s tidy bowling.

The second T20I between Pakistan and the West Indies will be played at the same venue on 3 August.

READ: Salman Ali Agha lauds team effort after first T20I win over West Indies

THIS player likely to replace Shadab Khan as T20I vice-captain: reports

Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Haris is set to replace Shadab Khan as the national team’s vice-captain for the Bangladesh T20I series.

Shadab Khan, who was appointed as Pakistan’s T20I vice-captain earlier this year, has reportedly been struggling with persistent discomfort in his shoulder.

After medical evaluation, surgery was deemed necessary, and Shadab is now likely to travel to the UK to have the procedure done.

Mohammad Haris, who has represented Pakistan in 17 T20Is, has vast leadership experience. The 24-year-old has captained both the Pakistan Shaheens and the Pakistan A team.

Moreover, Pakistan also won the Emerging Asia Cup in 2023 under Mohammad Haris’ captaincy, defeating arch-rivals India in the final.

It’s worth noting that Pakistan gears up for their upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on July 20 in Dhaka.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to announce the squad for the series later this week, with preparations set to begin on July 7 in Karachi.

A training camp will be held at the National Bank Stadium to fine-tune the squad ahead of the short tour.

Notably, the star trio of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi, all rested for the previous home series against Bangladesh, are reportedly set to remain on the sidelines, with no clear timeline for their return.

Pakistan will arrive in Dhaka on July 16 before facing the Bangladesh cricket team in the first T20I on Sunday, July 20.

The second and third T20Is are scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, and Thursday, July 24, respectively. All three matches will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

The two teams recently faced each other in a three-match T20I series at the Gaddafi Stadium, where Pakistan achieved a clean sweep against Bangladesh.

Shadab Khan starred in the opening match of the series as Pakistan clinched victory over Bangladesh by 37 runs.

The all-rounder gave an all-round performance, scoring 48 off 25 and taking two crucial wickets to secure an emphatic win for the Green Shirts.

READ: Shadab Khan likely to undergo shoulder surgery in UK: reports

Mohammad Haris reacts after being overlooked in BBL 15 draft

LAHORE: Pakistan’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, Mohammad Haris, has shared his thoughts after not being selected in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 draft, held on Thursday in Melbourne.

Despite being among the 74 Pakistani players registered for the BBL 15 draft, Haris was not picked by any of the eight franchises.

The BBL 15 Draft saw six of the eight franchises show interest in Pakistan’s top players, with five national stars eventually earning contracts.

Meanwhile, star batter Babar Azam was pre-signed by the Sydney Sixers ahead of the BBL 15 draft.

Speaking to the media during the ongoing skills development camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, Haris maintained a composed stance over the snub.

“The Big Bash League (BBL) is a prestigious tournament, and I wish the best to all the players participating,” Mohammad Haris said.

“But at the moment, my priority is national duty. These league opportunities come and go, and I’ll consider them only when I’m fully available and ready.”

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The 24-year-old remains part of the PCB’s current training camp aimed at addressing technical and tactical shortcomings across formats. He credited the camp for helping players recalibrate their game and focus on finer details.

“This camp is crucial for us because we’re working on the errors that the coaches identified. Today’s scenario match is part of that process—to iron out those mistakes in a match-like environment,” he explained.

Known for his aggressive batting style, Haris stressed the importance of evolving as a complete batter, especially in the modern game.

“I’ve always been known for my boundary-hitting, but now I’m focusing more on strike rotation because consistency is just as crucial,” he said.

“I’m also working hard to improve my defensive game, which is essential for all formats.”

He also highlighted his growing interest in red-ball cricket and a desire to break into Pakistan’s Test setup.

“I’ve enjoyed playing red-ball cricket in the domestic circuit, and now I’m determined to perform well enough to earn a place in the national Test squad,” he added.

READ: Mohammad Haris eyes red-ball spot, focused on fixing flaws

Mohammad Haris eyes red-ball spot, focused on fixing flaws

LAHORE: Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Haris has emphasised the importance of the ongoing Skills Development Camp, calling it a timely opportunity to rectify technical flaws noted by the national coaching staff.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a scenario-based training match at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Haris said the camp was designed to help players address mistakes highlighted by the coaches.

While Mohammad Haris refrained from commenting on the upcoming tours of Bangladesh and the West Indies, he hoped those discussions would take place during the next phase of the camp.

“We haven’t talked much about the Bangladesh or West Indies tours yet, but I’m hopeful those conversations will happen in the next camp,” he added.

The young batter also shared that he had a useful conversation about his game with veteran Shoaib Malik, and once again made it clear that he has no aspirations to take on a leadership role.

“I have no desire to be captain. My focus is on my game,” he said firmly.

Reflecting on his role in the previous series, Haris said he was mentally prepared to bat at No. 3 and plans to continue adapting series by series, as per the team’s requirements.

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“I knew I was playing at No. 3 in the last series, but we take things one series at a time and plan accordingly,” he further stated.

Known for his aggressive style of play, Haris stressed the importance of balancing power-hitting with strike rotation.

“I always try to play with aggression, but also focus on singles and doubles. That’s a key part of modern T20 cricket,” he said.

Interestingly, Mohammad Haris also revealed his growing interest in red-ball cricket and confirmed he’s eager to develop his game in that format as well.

“I want to play red-ball cricket, and I’m working towards it. So far, I haven’t had any specific discussion with the management about red or white-ball roles,” he said.

READ: Melbourne Renegades GM hails Rizwan signing as major BBL 15 coup