Mohammad Haris

Former Pakistan batter <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/2464/rameez-raja/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rameez Raja</a> believes that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) should be used to promote the young talent in the country, and not for players who are nearing 40. Raja was recently replaced by Najam Sethi as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).&quot;I strongly believe Pakistan Super League should not be meant for players, who are close to 40 years in age. We put the careers of young cricketers and future stars on stake just because of friendships,&quot; he said on his YouTube channel.He also believes <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/70241/saim-ayub/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Saim Ayub</a> and <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/72231/mohammad-haris/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mohammad Haris</a> are future T20 International (T20I) openers for Pakistan.&quot;Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris have immense potential and are future openers of Pakistan in T20I cricket,&quot; said Raja.&quot;However, after getting a start and setting the tempo, they should have finished the match. Not finishing the game is a waste of their talent and potential,&quot; he added.While Haris scored 40 for Peshawar Zalmi in their second match of the PSL 2023 against Multan Sultans, Ayub, who came in at three smashed 53 off just 37 deliveries, but that was not good enough for the team as they fell short by 56 runs, chasing 211. However, they won their opening game of the competition against Karachi Kings by two runs after putting up 199.Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

The former Pakistan batter also believes Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris are future T20I openers for Pakistan.

Saim Ayub

Rameez Raja

Pakistan Super League, 2023

Pakistan

Peshawar Zalmi

PSL should not be meant for players nearing 40: Rameez Raja 

Random things have happened in this World Cup and the Pakistan team is the king of such randomness on the cricket field. They will turn up with an atrocious performance when they are expected to win. But you corner them aside and no matter how well you play that day, they will eat you out like gobbling up Iftaar during the month of Ramzan.&nbsp;They were in a similar situation in this World Cup. They hadn&rsquo;t gotten off the mark after their first two matches. After a close and disheartening loss against India in their campaign opener, it was expected of Pakistan to pick up in their subsequent match against Zimbabwe. However, maintaining their character, they slipped further.&nbsp;What is the right time to peak in a tournament often makes a good debate in such mega-events. At 43/4 in a virtual knockout game against South Africa, it felt like Pakistan won&rsquo;t get a chance to peak at all in the competition. That was the moment when they were conveniently cornered aside. From touching the rock bottom with their fingertips is <a href="https://www.cricket.com/news/pakistans-beast-mode-pulls-them-back-from-the-grave-1667503715707" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">when the Men in Green decided to peak.</a>They turned a corner around, beating South Africa by a hefty margin from a position of no return. The most random upset of the T20 World Cup surfaced, with the Dutch trouncing the Proteas, opening Pakistan&rsquo;s door to the top four. And now, after a tumultuous journey, they have defeated one of the most efficient sides of the tournament in the most clinical manner possible.&nbsp;They just ticked all boxes of a perfect T20 game.*****You can presume that everything is alright with Pakistan cricket if they are fielding well. There are not many days like that. In Sydney on Wednesday (November 9), they exhibited their best fielding form.&nbsp;&ldquo;They are on fire today, Pakistan,&rdquo; exclaimed Ian Smith on air when <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/70326/haris-rauf/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Haris Rauf</a> saved 3 runs with a superb dive at short fine-leg in the fifth over. Mel Jones responded, &ldquo;You have to own the inner circle&rdquo;. Pakistan were on their money in &#39;owning&#39; the field today.&nbsp;<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1668012213078-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The best example was showcased by their best fielder. <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/65739/shadab-khan/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shadab Khan</a> turned the heat on New Zealand with probably the most well-timed run out of this tournament.&nbsp;A great batter against spin, the conditions were tailor-made for <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/13177/devon-conway/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Devon Conway</a>. His presence in the middle would have complicated <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/59429/babar-azam/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Babar Azam</a>&rsquo;s job of deploying his spinners. Shadab sent Conway back with an accurate throw on the last ball of the powerplay, right before spin was supposed to be introduced.&nbsp;The aftereffect of Conway&rsquo;s run out was clearly visible when <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/57935/mohammad-nawaz/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mohammad Nawaz</a> dismissed <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/65295/glenn-phillips/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Glenn Phillips</a> in the eighth over. Things could have been a lot different if Conway had made it to the middle-overs. Shadab cut his stay short right at the brink of it.&nbsp;New Zealand tried to recover but by the time the innings reached the death overs phase, Pakistan only had to deliver a regular closing out performance to tighten the screw further on the Kiwis. Even though New Zealand had set batters, Pakistan conceded only 46 runs in the final five overs, catching the Blackcaps short of the par score.&nbsp;*****Chasing 153, there was only one doubt. Pakistan have been terrible in run chases in this world Cup. Batting first, their top seven had averaged 22 .6 at a run-rate of 8 before Wednesday, in comparison to 19.9 at a run-rate of 6.4 in the second innings. It was a consequence of a sluggish World Cup for Babar and <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/20286/mohammad-rizwan/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mohammad Rizwan</a>. Babar had scored 39 runs in five innings at a strike-rate of 61.9. Rizwan averaged 20.6 at a strike-rate of 100.&nbsp;These stats were New Zealand&rsquo;s only hope in what seemed like another bread-and-butter run chase for Pakistan in home-like conditions. And the last unchecked box clicked.<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1668012148514-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Like their fielding, Babar and Rizwan also not only just clicked but owned the powerplay.&nbsp;&quot;When we crossed the boundary line, me and Babar decided that we could attack the new ball, because we knew that the pitch was tricky,&rdquo; said Rizwan after the match. Pakistan were 55/0 in six overs, absorbing all the early nerves of what could have been a tricky chase had the openers not fired.&nbsp;From a position where none of the two openers could go beyond run-a-ball in the tournament, Babar and Rizwan forged a 105-run stand for the opening wicket in 12.4 overs. The run-rate of 8.3 was greater than the asking rate of 7.7 at the start of the chase. There were no sixes in the partnership but only masterful gap finding to keep the scoreboard ticking.&nbsp;&ldquo;As we know about the weather, when there&rsquo;s a lull there is also a storm that follows,&rdquo; said Pakistan&rsquo;s batting coach Matthew Hayden before this game in the context of Babar&rsquo;s poor form. The Pakistan skipper vindicated Hayden&rsquo;s words with 53 off 42 balls.&nbsp;*****Heading to Melbourne now for the final, Pakistan have ticked all boxes to put any opposition in distress. The bowling has been top-notch. The openers have hit their form. The middle-order has already helped them rise from the ashes a couple of times. <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/72231/mohammad-haris/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mohammad Haris</a>&rsquo; inclusion has been a breath of fresh air. <a href="https://www.cricket.com/news/tactical-mvp-for-each-team-at-2022-t20-world-cup-1665743651816" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Their MVP - Shadab Khan</a> - has contributed in every game, be it with the bat, with the ball or in the field.&nbsp;THEY ARE PEAKING AT THE RIGHT TIME.&nbsp;It is natural to feel they left it too late but for Pakistan, it was just in the nick of time. The showstoppers arrive late to the party. That is why Pakistan are so fun to watch, be it as a neutral or in the opposition camp.&nbsp;<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1668012436045-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">As their coach, Saqlain Mushtaq concluded a few weeks back in what has now turned into a popular meme - all this is Qudrat ka Nizam, ie, nature&rsquo;s fate. The stars have aligned for Pakistan. There is no other explanation for the series of events that has taken them to the final. That too in Australia, a country where Pakistan had not won a single T20 international prior to this World cup. Well, it is just another fact that glorifies their campaign further.&nbsp;A FUN FACT: This is the first time Australia is hosting a 20-over World Cup. When they hosted the 50-over World Cup for the first time (in 1992), Pakistan were on the verge of an early elimination. They won only one of their first five league games. They were bowled out for 74 against England but were saved by rain. Rain was the luck they needed in 1992. This year, it has been the Netherlands team. After a drowsy start, Pakistan peaked at the right time, beating New Zealand in the semi-final and then England at the MCG to claim the cup.&nbsp;They have ousted New Zealand in a semi-final now. England are still alive in the competition. The final is at the MCG. Will the stars stay aligned for Pakistan to lift the trophy in Australia again?&nbsp; Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

Pakistan almost touched rock bottom with their fingertips but that is when they decided to peak in this tournament

Shadab Khan

Babar Azam

Mohammad Rizwan

Devon Conway

Mohammad Nawaz

Haris Rauf

ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Australia, 2022

New Zealand

Pakistan in the T20 World Cup: Arrived late but arrived handsomely

Not long back in the tournament, Pakistan&rsquo;s semi-final hopes were hanging by the thinnest of threads. They needed a massive upset and the Netherlands side did them a favor, beating the Proteas, which made way for them to proceed to the semis. &nbsp;Pakistan have made it by the skin of their teeth but New Zealand, on the other hand, finished the Super 12 stage as the table-toppers in their respective group. The route to the semis hardly matters knowing <a href="https://www.cricket.com/news/pakistans-beast-mode-pulls-them-back-from-the-grave-1667503715707" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">no amount of brilliance is enough to cease Pakistan when it&rsquo;s their day</a>. And that is what adds spice to this semi-final. A mercurial side against the most efficient side in a tournament where every team has lost at least one game.Both have been strong bowling teams in this competition. Except their first game when Pakistan encountered a Virat Kohli special, they have not conceded a total beyond 150. The BlackCaps have been on the money with the ball barring their only defeat against England. Pakistan&rsquo;s out-of-form opening pair creates a match-up right there.&nbsp;Most of Pakistan and New Zealand bowling numbers on various facets are neck-to-neck. The most prominent parallel is in the spin bowling department. The Kiwis are not known for their spin, but Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner have pulled the game back on numerous occasions.&nbsp;<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1667902008787-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">With spinners expected to excel at the SCG, there is a great battle between the sides who have quality options. However, the match will be played on a new strip. Hence, there is a chance that any slowness in the pitch might come to the surface only in the second innings.&nbsp;That adds another reason behind both sides looking to bat first in a venue where the chasing side has been successful only once in six matches.&nbsp;Can Conway neutralize the Shadab threat?&nbsp;Rewind to the Super 12 opener between Australia and New Zealand. <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/13177/devon-conway/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Devon Conway</a> neutralized the Adam Zampa threat,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cricket.com/news/efficient-cricket-enough-for-new-zealand-to-trounce-defending-champions-1666453417601" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">facing 17 of the leg-spinner&rsquo;s 24-ball quota and hammering him for 32 runs. </a>Conway hasn&rsquo;t done anything special since that 92 against Australia. But this is the perfect match for him to step up. His tight game against spin aligns with the spin-friendly conditions at the SCG. And Pakistan have an in-form leg-spinner in <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/65739/shadab-khan/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shadab Khan</a>. Bagging 10 scalps, Shadab has the most wickets during the middle-overs in the Super 12 stage. The other Pakistan spinners fall in his match-up including Iftikhar Ahmed&rsquo;s part-time off-spin. Conway has a strike-rate of 149.2 against off-spinners in T20Is while getting out just once. This makes him a vital player in this game.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the in-form Glenn Phillips also has an ace record facing leg-spin in his T20I career - average 40.2, strike-rate 159.6Mohammad Haris vs Finn AllenAfter his 11-ball 28 against South Africa, <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/72231/mohammad-haris/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mohammad Haris</a>&rsquo; 31 from 18 in the following match saved Pakistan from bottling another run chase. While chasing 128 against Bangladesh in that game, <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/59429/babar-azam/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Babar Azam</a> and <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/20286/mohammad-rizwan/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mohammad Rizwan</a> forged the slowest 50+ opening stand in T20Is - a run-rate of 5.53. It put surmounting pressure on the middle-over before Haris&rsquo; breezy knock eased the nerves.&nbsp;Haris has been a breath of fresh air in the Pakistan batting line-up, scoring 59 runs off 29 balls in his two innings thus far. His strike-rate of 203.4 is a highly relevant stat for Pakistan considering he has separated Babar, Rizwan and Shan Masood from batting one after the other.&nbsp;<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1667902126349-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">As an opener, <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/66046/finn-allen/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Finn Allen</a> is playing similar cameos for the Kiwis - averaging 22.8 at a strike-rate of 189.6.&nbsp;The cameos of Haris and Allen have proven useful for their sides loaded with batters who start slow. In Super 12s, Haris and Allen were No.1 and No.3 among the fastest scorers among batters batting in the top four. Suryakumar Yadav is sandwiched between them at a strike-rate of 194.&nbsp;Thus, there lies a notable correspondence between the two youngsters who won&rsquo;t be up against each other but can make a decisive contribution with similar batting styles in their first World Cup semi-final.&nbsp;The ContestThe death overs during New Zealand&rsquo;s innings could be a decisive phase in this semi-final. At 10.7, the Kiwis have the second best run-rate in overs 16 to 20 in this World Cup. Their batting average of 21.4 is also second only to India in that phase. On the other hand, Pakistan&rsquo;s death over economy rate of 7.2 is the third best in the tournament. They have picked a wicket every 11.9 runs.&nbsp;<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1667902039319-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The likes of Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim have nailed their yorkers more often than not. Irrespective of New Zealand bats first or second, Pakistan pacers to the Kiwi batters at the death will be an interesting contest. The Kiwis would want at least one set batter to tackle the might of Pakistan at the back end.&nbsp;Probable XIsBoth sides have found a combination they are comfortable with. It is unlikely there will be any changes to that barring any injury concerns.&nbsp;New Zealand: Devon Conway (wk), Finn Allen, Kane Williamson ( c ), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mithcell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Lockie FergusonPakistan: Babar Azam ( c ), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Haris RaufPowered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

Pakistan sneaked into the semis while New Zealand had a smooth road but that will matter little in a knockout game of this tumultuous tournament

Glenn Phillips

Finn Allen

Kane Williamson

Mercurial PAK face efficient NZ in a semi-final of fascinating match-ups

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup 2022 has approved Mohammad Haris as a replacement for <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/57492/fakhar-zaman/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fakhar Zaman</a> in the Pakistan squad. Haris was named as a replacement after Zaman was ruled out after sustaining a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury to his right knee.Zaman was <a href="https://www.cricket.com/news/pakistan-were-aware-of-the-risks-of-fakhars-comeback-1667368368174" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">carrying a knee injury</a> even before the World Cup and that injury was the sole reason why he wasn&rsquo;t named in the original 15-member Pakistan squad. However, when Usman Qadir got injured, Zaman was added to the squad, but later aggravated the injury during their match against Netherlands on Sunday. Zaman scored 20 off 16 balls against the Dutch but his discomfort was clearly visible.&quot;Obviously with any knee injury it takes time to have 100% recovery,&quot; Pakistan team doctor Najeebullah Soomro, said. &quot;Fakhar and the team understood the risks of coming into the tournament and we got him in. You saw how he performed with batting in the last match, unfortunately in the last match he had a bit of a twist which aggravated his injury.&quot;We were aware of the risks of the comeback. He is obviously an important player for the team. The player, the medical staff and the team management were aware of that. We decided to bring him back in. In cricket, and any sport, we take risks. Sometimes they pay off, sometimes they don&#39;t.&quot;Pakistan now may think about adding <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/58951/asif-ali/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Asif Ali</a> or <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/72229/haider-ali/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Haider Ali</a> to the playing XI for the South Africa clash, which is pretty important for them in terms of surviving the group stage. Asif Ali played against India but was left out for the next two matches with Pakistan opting to go for another extra bowling option in order to avoid the repeat of having to bowl Mohammed Nawaz the last over.Pakistan currently have only two points in their kitty and even if they win both of their games against South Africa and Bangladesh, they would further need other results to go in their favour in order to make it to the semifinals of the ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup.Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

Pakistan now may think about adding Asif Ali or Haider Ali to the playing XI for the South Africa clash

Asif Ali

Haider Ali

Fakhar Zaman

Fakhar Zaman ruled out of T20 World Cup; Mohammad Haris named replacement

Pakistan have included the uncapped duo of Asif Afridi and Mohammad Haris for the upcoming white-ball leg of the Australian series. Notably, the selectors have excluded the duo of Sarfaraz Ahmed and Imad Wasim from the squad for the white-ball series.&nbsp;&quot;This is a reward for their hard work and consistent performances in the domestic circuit,&quot; Muhammad Wasim, Chair of the Selection Committee said on the selections of Haris and Afridi.&nbsp;&quot;Their selections are also a message for all domestic players that their performances are being followed and whenever an opportunity arises, they will be rewarded with a national team call-up,&rdquo; he added.Asif, who impressed the selectors during the 2022 edition of the PSL with his left-arm spin, earns the call-up, on the back of his eight wickets for Multan Sultans. Haris, on the other hand, showcased his abilities with the blade, striking at 186.5, scoring 166 runs in just five appearances.&nbsp;Haris, was earlier named in the squad for the series against New Zealand before the tour was eventually called off. The selectors have omitted the likes of Abdullah Shafique, Imam-Ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel for the solitary T20I contest.&nbsp;&quot;Australia are an equally outstanding team in the shorter formats of the game and, as such, we have decided to go with the best available and most experienced players. The four white-ball matches have significant context as the 50-over games count towards the 2023 World Cup qualification and the 20-over will be a repeat of the ICC Men&#39;s T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final.&quot;ODI squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-Ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman QadirT20I squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman QadirPowered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

Pakistani selectors have also dropped veterans Sarfaraz Ahmed and Imad Wasim from the squad

mohammad haris

PSL should not be meant for players nearing 40: Rameez Raja

Pakistan in the T20 World Cup: Arrived late but arrived handsomely

Mercurial PAK face efficient NZ in a semi-final of fascinating match-ups

Fakhar Zaman ruled out of T20 World Cup; Mohammad Haris named replacement

Pakistan name uncapped Asif Afridi, Mohammad Haris for Australia ODIs