'Dande se maarna chahiye': Ex-Pakistan player slams youngster Mohammad Haris for comment on Babar Azam's strike-rate

Mohammad Haris slammed for comment on Babar Azam's strike-rate. (Photo: X)

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris courted controversy ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. The 24-year-old, part of Salman Agha’s side that recently sealed a 2-1 T20I series win over the West Indies, drew attention with his remarks on Babar Azam’s strike rate.

In a widely shared interview, Haris was asked if Babar should alter his style of play in Twenty20 Internationals. When asked, "tez ya slow (fast or slow)," Haris laughed and chose the fast option, which many fans and experts believed was disrespectful to the former captain of Pakistan.

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Basit Ali, a former batter for Pakistan, attacked Haris harshly, claiming the young player should be "beaten with a stick" for questioning his senior. “Who do you think you are to comment on Babar Azam?” Basit stated that Haris had become bold brave following Babar's removal as captain.

Haris was also criticized by former wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who stated that the PCB should teach players how to behave in public and steer clear of contentious remarks. “He should have made it clear that he is in no position to comment on Babar. Instead, he should be learning from him to improve his own batting,” Akmal said.

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"Babar Azam needs to play fast in T20"
Mohammad Haris...!!!#BabarAzam | #BabarAzam𓃵 pic.twitter.com/8mQzUiLoGB

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—  (@Bobi_1A) August 25, 2025

Due to the exclusion of both Babar Azam and fellow veteran batter Mohammad Rizwan from Pakistan's 2025 Asia Cup squad, the controversy comes at a delicate moment. According to sources, they are unlikely to be selected for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which has sparked concerns over their future in T20 cricket.

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Two significant concerns for Pakistani cricket have been brought to light by the incident: managing the transfer of veteran players to the next generation and making sure that young players are developed both on and off the field. The removal of Babar and Rizwan from the Asia Cup squad could usher in a new era for Pakistani cricket, even though Haris is still receiving criticism.