Mohammad Haris Archives

‘Our focus is on the future’ Ramiz on Haris’ selection over Sarfaraz

LAHORE: The Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) – Ramiz Raja opened up on the selection of young wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris over Sarfaraz Ahmed in the national team’s squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022, stating the decision seems justified.

PCB Chairman Ramiz while interacting with cricket fans via ‘PCB Fans Forum with Ramiz’ responded to a question regarding former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz’s selection in the national contingent for the ICC T20 World Cup and stated that the plan is to focus on the future plans.

“Haris has been selected in the squad over Sarfaraz by keeping the future plans in mind,” said Ramiz.

“I am not the chief selector but this decision seemed justified to me since Haris is a very talented player,” he maintained.

The PCB Chairman then acknowledged the services of former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz but stressed the team’s future aspirations and hence termed it a ‘difficult decision’.

It is worth noting that before the announcement of the national squad on September 14, various rumours swirled about former captain Sarfaraz being re-inducted into the squad.

The final squad, however, did not feature the 35-year-old wicketkeeper as Haris was included in the reserve players as a concussion replacement to the team’s permanent wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan.

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‘Sarfaraz is the only backup option for Rizwan in Tests’ claims Rashid Latif

KARACHI: Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has thrown his back behind the former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and termed him the only backup option for Rizwan in Tests.

The former cricketer Rashid has opined on the backup of Pakistan’s primary wicket-keeper Rizwan in Tests and claimed that Sarfaraz is the only one who is equivalent to the standards of Rizwan in the longest format.

“You need a backup wicketkeeper in Test cricket of the standards equivalent to Mohammad Rizwan and Sarfaraz Ahmed is the only name right now who can perform wicket-keeping five days in a Test match,” claimed Rashid.

The former wicket-keeper batter also opined regarding the young wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Haris and claimed his inclusion cannot sideline Sarfaraz.

“Inclusion of Mohammad Haris cannot sideline Sarfaraz Ahmed,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here Pakistan will tour Sri Lanka for the two-match Test series in July this year.

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‘You got Sarfaraz and Rizwan’ Afridi slams chief selector on Haris selection

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain and the star all-rounder Shahid Afridi has questioned the chief selector of Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team Mohammad Wasim for the inclusion of the young wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Haris.

The star all-rounder criticised Wasim for selecting Haris for the ODIs and called it a foolish decision while speaking on a local news programme.

“It was a foolish decision by these people. I won’t say this to Ramiz Raja but if Mohammad Wasim is listening, I ask him not to take such steps,” Afridi said.

“Why are you selecting a player who performed in two T20 matches for ODI cricket? Is the process that easy to earn Pakistan’s cap?” he questioned.

The former all-rounder then clarified that he is not against the inclusion of the youngsters but urged that they must play domestic cricket first. Afridi also mentioned the former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as a candidate.

“I also back the inclusion of young players but at least let them play domestic cricket. You have Sarfaraz and Rizwan as well. It is not as if Rizwan’s cricket has finished that you have brought in another player,” he stated.

Afridi also backed the wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan, who is struggling to get going in the ODI matches recently and advised the latter to enjoy ODI cricket.

“He doesn’t need to do anything special. Rizwan should enjoy ODI cricket, similar to what he does in T20I cricket,” Afridi said.

“Expectations are so high from Rizwan, due to his performance in the recent past, that if he doesn’t do well in a two or three matches people start talking about him. But we will still back him because he is a key player in our side,” he concluded.

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