📰 Basit Ali’s Explosive Take on Mohammad Haris 🎙️
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has openly criticized young wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris for his reckless batting approach during Pakistan’s defeat against Afghanistan in the ongoing Tri-Nation T20I Series 2025.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit expressed frustration over Haris’s “senseless cricket”, accusing him of playing for sixes just to look like a hero, instead of focusing on the team’s requirements.
“Haris got out to Nabi. My question is simple: Nabi was brought on specifically to bowl to a left-hander, yet Haris played a careless shot and gave away his wicket. This is not smart cricket — this is playing for sixes just to look like a hero,” Basit said.
His remarks have sparked a debate among Pakistan cricket fans, with many questioning Haris’s shot selection and mindset under pressure.
📉 Pakistan’s Batting Collapse vs Afghanistan
Pakistan’s batting unit once again crumbled under pressure, managing only 151/9 while chasing 170.
- Fakhar Zaman (25 off 18) got a solid start but failed to convert.
- Agha Salman (20 off 14) tried to stabilize the innings but perished to a rash stroke.
- Sahibzada Farhan (18 off 15) showed promise but lacked patience.
- Mohammad Haris failed once again, throwing away his wicket when Pakistan needed him to build an innings.
The lack of partnerships and irresponsible shot selection became Pakistan’s undoing.
⚡ Mohammad Haris Under the Scanner
Mohammad Haris, once hailed as Pakistan’s power-hitting specialist, has struggled for consistency.
Why Basit Ali is Frustrated 😠
- Haris often tries to hit big shots too early in the innings.
- He struggles to read match situations and adapt accordingly.
- His strike rate looks impressive, but his average remains low, hurting Pakistan in crucial chases.
Basit highlighted that the Pakistan coaching staff also seems to have lost trust in Haris, evident from his sliding batting position:
“When a player drops from number six to number seven, it’s a clear message that the coach doesn’t trust him anymore.”
🏏 Afghanistan’s Brilliant Performance
Afghanistan displayed maturity and dominance in Harare, particularly with the bat.
Key Highlights from Afghanistan’s Innings 🇦🇫
- Ibrahim Zadran scored a composed 54 off 39 balls, anchoring the innings.
- Sediqullah Atal smashed a match-defining 64 off 45, adding 113 runs with Zadran for the second wicket.
- Mohammad Nabi, though not prolific with the bat, proved crucial with the ball, removing Mohammad Haris at a pivotal moment.
Afghanistan ended with 169/5 in 20 overs, setting up a challenging total for Pakistan.
🎯 Pakistan’s Bowling: Faheem Ashraf Shines
While Pakistan lost the match, Faheem Ashraf was the standout performer with the ball, returning career-best figures of 4/27.
- Saim Ayub chipped in with the early wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, providing a dream start.
- However, Pakistan’s spinners failed to contain runs in the middle overs, allowing Afghanistan to post a competitive total.
🔍 Basit Ali’s Concerns About Haris’s Mentality
Basit Ali emphasized that talent alone isn’t enough at the international level.
“Heroes aren’t born overnight. They’re made through hard work, discipline, and match awareness. Haris has been handed everything, but he hasn’t worked on his game.”
Basit believes that Haris needs:
- Better shot selection under pressure.
- Improved rotational strike play.
- A clearer understanding of match situations.
- More maturity to earn the coach’s confidence back.
📊 Pakistan’s Position in the Tri-Nation Series
Despite the loss, Pakistan remains at the top of the points table:
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0.867 |
| Afghanistan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0.283 |
| UAE | 2 | 0 | 2 | -1.725 |
Pakistan will face hosts UAE in their next match and will aim to bounce back strongly.
🚨 Social Media Reactions
Following Basit Ali’s remarks, cricket fans took to Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to share their opinions:
- Some backed Basit, agreeing Haris needs more discipline.
- Others defended Haris, blaming team management for his frequent batting position changes.
- A section of fans criticized Pakistan’s over-reliance on power-hitting instead of building partnerships.
🧠 Expert Take: What Pakistan Should Do
Pakistan’s batting issues are not just about Haris — the entire middle-order needs stability. Here’s what experts suggest:
- Re-evaluate batting positions – Give Haris a consistent slot.
- Focus on strike rotation – Pakistan cannot rely solely on boundaries.
- Work on Haris’s temperament – Invest in mental conditioning programs.
- Back players with confidence – Constantly shuffling batting orders erodes trust.
🔮 What’s Next for Pakistan?
Pakistan’s next game is against UAE on Wednesday, and it’s a must-win match to stay ahead in the points table.
- Haris’s selection for the next match will be closely watched.
- If he gets another chance, this could be a make-or-break moment in his T20I career.
❓ FAQs – Basit Ali vs Mohammad Haris Controversy
Q1. Why did Basit Ali criticize Mohammad Haris?
A: Basit slammed Haris for playing reckless cricket, accusing him of swinging for sixes instead of playing smart shots.
Q2. Did Mohammad Haris perform well in the Tri-Nation Series?
A: No, Haris struggled with consistency and played irresponsible shots at crucial moments.
Q3. Does the Pakistan coach trust Haris?
A: According to Basit Ali, no. Haris’s dropping batting order suggests the team management has lost confidence in him.
Q4. Who was Pakistan’s best bowler vs Afghanistan?
A: Faheem Ashraf — he took 4/27 and kept Pakistan in the game.
Q5. What’s next for Pakistan?
A: Pakistan faces UAE next and will look to regain momentum in the Tri-Nation Series 2025.
🏁 Final Thoughts
The ongoing Pakistan vs Afghanistan rivalry continues to deliver intense cricketing drama. While Afghanistan showcased discipline and composure, Pakistan’s batting unit faltered once again.
Mohammad Haris now stands at a crossroads in his career — he must adapt quickly, or risk losing his place in Pakistan’s T20I setup.
Meanwhile, Basit Ali’s comments have ignited a larger debate about Pakistan’s batting approach and player development strategy. The next clash against UAE will be crucial, not just for the team’s confidence, but also for Haris’s future prospects.