Pakistan’s top batter Babar Azam is currently out of form and, as a result, is not in the T20 squad. Taking this opportunity, young cricketer Mohammad Haris has been criticizing him, which has angered former Pakistan star Basit Ali.
In a recent interview, wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Haris was asked about Babar’s slow batting. In response, Haris, somewhat jokingly, said that Babar should score runs faster in T20 cricket.
Basit Ali did not take Haris’s remarks well. The former Pakistan batsman even said Haris deserved a beating for speaking about Babar’s strike rate.
In a video clip circulating on social media, the host asked Haris, “Do you think Babar’s batting style in T20s needs some changes?” The 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman replied in a single word: “Yes.”
The host then, laughing, asked, “Faster or slower batting?” Haris, also smiling, said: “Faster…” Not only that, Haris further commented that senior players like Babar should step aside to create opportunities for young talents.
Since Babar is far more senior in both age and experience, Basit Ali was angered by such advice from Haris. On the YouTube channel The Game Plan, Basit said:
“Mohammad Haris is talking about where Babar Azam needs to improve his batting? He should be beaten with a stick. Who are you to talk about Babar Azam? If Babar was still the captain of Pakistan, would he dare to say this?”
In the same show, another former cricketer, Kamran Akmal, also criticized Haris. Akmal believes that the Pakistan Cricket Board should train players on what to say about others, when to say it, and how to avoid unnecessary controversies.
