🏏 Former Pakistan Pacer Tanveer Ahmed Slams Rizwan’s Exclusion After Haris’ Poor Show
The Pakistan cricket team finds itself in the spotlight once again — not because of a spectacular win, but due to growing criticism over selection decisions. Former Pakistan fast bowler Tanveer Ahmed has publicly slammed the team management for excluding Mohammad Rizwan from the ongoing tri-nation T20I series involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, and UAE, following Mohammad Haris’ repeated batting failures.
With the Asia Cup 2025 just days away, Pakistan’s unsettled batting order and questionable selection policies have triggered massive debates among fans, cricket experts, and former cricketers.
📌 The Context: Pakistan’s Tri-Nation T20I Series
The Pakistan cricket team, under the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha, is currently participating in a tri-nation T20I series hosted in Sharjah, UAE, featuring Afghanistan and UAE.
- Pakistan Matches So Far: 4
- Wins: 3
- Losses: 1
- Next Match: Final vs Afghanistan (Sunday, September 7)
- Upcoming Fixture: Afghanistan vs UAE (Friday, September 6) — a formality match as UAE is already out
Despite Pakistan topping the points table with two wins from three matches, the focus has shifted to Mohammad Haris’ disastrous batting form and the decision to drop Mohammad Rizwan.
🗣️ Tanveer Ahmed’s Criticism: “Why Drop Rizwan If Haris Can’t Perform?”
Former Pakistan pacer Tanveer Ahmed expressed his frustration on X (formerly Twitter), questioning the team management’s decision-making:
“If M. Haris was going to play like this, then why was Mohammad Rizwan deliberately left out of the team?”
Tanveer’s remarks reflect the sentiments of many Pakistan fans, who believe Mohammad Rizwan’s exclusion was premature, especially considering his consistent T20I record and ability to perform under pressure.
🏏 Mohammad Haris’ Poor Form: Numbers Tell the Story
Mohammad Haris, who was preferred over Rizwan as Pakistan’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in this series, has struggled badly. His stats paint a worrying picture:
Mohammad Haris’ Last 9 T20I Innings
| Match Series | Runs Scored | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| vs Bangladesh | 4, 0, 5 | July 2025 |
| vs West Indies | 6, 4, 2 | August 2025 |
| vs UAE | 15 | September 2025 |
| vs Afghanistan | 1, 1 | September 2025 |
| Total Runs | 38 in 9 innings | — |
| Average | 4.2 | — |
This string of single-digit scores has raised serious doubts about Haris’ confidence, shot selection, and temperament in high-pressure matches.
🔥 Mohammad Rizwan: The Missing Piece in Pakistan’s Batting
Mohammad Rizwan has been one of Pakistan’s most consistent T20 performers over the last five years. Known for his stability, match awareness, and ability to build partnerships, Rizwan’s absence is being deeply felt.
Mohammad Rizwan’s T20I Record (Before Exclusion)
- Matches: 85
- Runs: 2,643
- Average: 49.8
- Strike Rate: 129.6
- Fifties: 22
- Hundreds: 1
Comparing Rizwan’s numbers to Haris’ underwhelming form, cricket experts argue that Pakistan’s top order lacks stability without Rizwan anchoring the innings.
🏆 Pakistan vs Afghanistan: Sharjah Thriller
On September 2, 2025, Pakistan faced Afghanistan in Sharjah — and the match exposed Pakistan’s batting frailties once again.
Afghanistan’s Innings
- Total: 169/5 (20 overs)
Top Performers:
- Ibrahim Zadran: 71 (47) 🏏
- Sediqullah Atal: 64 (45) ⚡
- Partnership: 113-run stand for the 2nd wicket
Pakistan’s Bowling Highlights
- Faheem Ashraf: 4/27 (career-best figures) 🎯
- Saim Ayub: 1/15
- Other bowlers struggled as Afghanistan dominated the middle overs.
Pakistan’s Chase
Total: 151/9 (20 overs)
Top Performers:
- Haris Rauf: 34* (16) 💥
- Fakhar Zaman: 25 (18)
- Salman Ali Agha: 20 (17)
- Sahibzada Farhan: 18 (15)
Despite some late fireworks from Haris Rauf, Pakistan fell 18 runs short.
📊 Tri-Series Points Table (Updated)
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1.038 |
| Afghanistan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0.283 |
| UAE | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -1.667 |
- Pakistan and Afghanistan qualify for the Final
- UAE eliminated
⚡ Pakistan’s Selection Debate: Rizwan vs Haris
The ongoing Rizwan vs Haris debate has now reached boiling point:
| Player | Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Rizwan | 85 | 2643 | 49.8 | 129.6 | ✅ Consistent |
| Mohammad Haris | 20 | 238 | 14.8 | 116.4 | ❌ Struggling |
Fans, former players, and experts agree that Pakistan’s best chance to win big tournaments lies in bringing Rizwan back before the Asia Cup 2025.
📰 Social Media Reactions: Fans Back Rizwan
Cricket fans took to Twitter/X to express their disappointment:
- “Pakistan without Rizwan is like tea without sugar.” ☕
- “How many chances does Haris need before selectors wake up?” 😡
- “Tanveer is right — Rizwan’s exclusion makes no sense.” 📢
📢 Key Takeaways
- Pakistan cricket selection controversy
- Mohammad Rizwan vs Mohammad Haris
- Tanveer Ahmed slams Pakistan cricket
- Pakistan vs Afghanistan tri-series 2025
- Rizwan dropped Asia Cup 2025
- Pakistan cricket news today
- Sharjah T20 tri-series points table
- Asia Cup 2025 Pakistan squad
❓ FAQs
Q1. Why was Mohammad Rizwan dropped from Pakistan’s T20 squad?
A: Pakistan’s management wanted to give Mohammad Haris more chances, but the move has backfired due to his poor form.Q2. What did Tanveer Ahmed say about Rizwan’s exclusion?
A: Tanveer questioned why Rizwan was dropped if Haris was going to fail repeatedly.Q3. Who is Pakistan’s captain for the tri-nation series?
A: Salman Ali Agha is leading Pakistan in the ongoing tournament.Q4. When is the Pakistan vs Afghanistan final?
A: 📅 Sunday, September 7, 2025 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.Q5. Will Rizwan return for Asia Cup 2025?
A: It’s not confirmed yet, but increasing pressure from fans and experts could force selectors to recall him.🏁 Conclusion
Pakistan cricket finds itself at a crossroads yet again. With the Asia Cup 2025 around the corner, the exclusion of Mohammad Rizwan has become one of the biggest controversies in Pakistan cricket.
While Tanveer Ahmed’s criticism has amplified fan frustration, the team still has time to correct its course. Bringing back Rizwan could provide stability at the top and strengthen Pakistan’s batting ahead of crucial tournaments.
All eyes are now on Pakistan vs Afghanistan in the tri-series final — a match that could decide Pakistan’s momentum heading into the Asia Cup 2025.