When Mohammad Haris sprinted for a second run during the 11th over of Pakistan’s innings against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 26, 2025, he didn’t just lose a run—he lost his reputation, at least temporarily. Replays showed his bat barely hovering above the crease as he turned for the second, a glaring lapse in awareness that sparked a tidal wave of mockery across social media. The hashtag Kya Gali Ki Team Hai—‘What kind of street team is this?’—trended across Pakistan within hours. It wasn’t just a mistake. It felt like a symbol.
How One Run Exposed a Bigger Problem
Pakistan had just lost opener Sahibzada Farhan to Taskin Ahmed in the first over, and the innings never recovered. They limped to 135/8 in 20 overs, a total that felt embarrassingly low on a pitch that offered little assistance to bowlers. Haris, at 31 off 23 balls, was their top scorer. But no one remembered his strike rate. Everyone remembered the run-out. The moment unfolded after captain Salman Ali Agha flicked a delivery from Bangladesh’s Mahedi Hasan to long-on. Fielder Rishad Hossain fumbled, and both batters took off. Haris, clearly out of sync, didn’t ground his bat before committing to the second. The umpire raised his finger. The crowd groaned. The replays went viral. It wasn’t the first time Haris had been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Earlier in September, he’d drawn fire from former players for publicly questioning Babar Azam’s T20 strike rate during a live interview. The context? A rapid-fire Q&A where he was forced to answer only ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ But the damage was done. Basit Ali, a former Pakistan batter, told Moneycontrol: ‘Who do you think you are to comment on Babar Azam? He should be beaten with a stick.’ Kamran Akmal added: ‘He should be learning from him, not talking over him.’The Babar Azam Vacuum and the Next-Gen Pressure Cooker
Haris’ comments landed during a seismic shift in Pakistan cricket. Both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were conspicuously absent from the Asia Cup 2025 squad—officially rested, unofficially phased out. Sources at Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed they’re unlikely to feature in the 2026 T20 World Cup. The team is being rebuilt around youth. Haris, at 24, was supposed to be part of that future. But rebuilding isn’t just about runs and strike rates. It’s about maturity. It’s about understanding that leadership isn’t earned by speaking first—it’s earned by listening, adapting, and respecting the legacy you’re inheriting. The PCB’s failure to guide Haris through this transition is now as visible as his botched run.From Controversy to Celebration: The Bazooka Backlash
Just days after the Asia Cup match, Haris reignited tensions by performing the ‘bazooka’ celebration after scoring a century for Peshawar in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The gesture—mimicking a gun firing—had already caused outrage during the Asia Cup when Sahibzada Farhan used it against India. Indian fans interpreted it as a mockery of their armed forces, especially after the May 2025 border clash. The ICC reprimanded Farhan. He shrugged it off. He even posted an AK-47 sticker on his bat. Haris, seemingly unaware of the political tinderbox he was stepping into, repeated the act. It wasn’t just poor judgment—it was tone-deaf. In a sport already strained by national tensions, such gestures aren’t just childish. They’re dangerous. And yet, the PCB hasn’t issued a statement. Silence, in this case, speaks louder than reprimand.
What Happens Next? The Data Doesn’t Lie
Despite the chaos, Haris’ numbers can’t be ignored. He finished as Pakistan’s third-highest run-scorer in the Asia Cup 2025 with 131 runs at a strike rate of 133.67. That’s explosive. That’s valuable. He’s still likely to feature in the upcoming T20I series against South Africa. The PCB needs him. But they also need to manage him. The question isn’t whether Haris has talent. It’s whether he has the emotional intelligence to handle it. The PCB’s development system has produced quick batsmen before. But rarely ones so publicly unpolished. If they don’t step in now—with mentorship, media training, and accountability—they risk turning a promising player into a cautionary tale.What This Means for Pakistan Cricket
This isn’t just about one young batter. It’s about the entire culture of Pakistan’s next generation. The PCB has been eager to shed the ‘old guard’ label. But replacing legends isn’t just about picking younger names—it’s about building character. Haris’ case is a litmus test. Can Pakistan produce fast-scoring batsmen without producing reckless personalities? Can they win matches without winning controversies? The answer will define their next five years.Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Mohammad Haris’s run-out such a big deal?
It wasn’t just the error—it was the timing. Pakistan was already struggling at 135/8, and Haris, their top scorer, was the one to make a basic mistake that cost a run. In high-pressure T20 cricket, game awareness is as vital as batting skill. The viral backlash reflected frustration with a team perceived as careless, not just one player’s slip-up.
What did Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal say about Haris’s comments on Babar Azam?
Basit Ali called Haris’s remarks disrespectful and said he ‘should be beaten with a stick,’ while Kamran Akmal insisted Haris had no right to critique Babar, especially since he was still learning. Both former players emphasized that Haris should be observing and learning from Babar, not publicly questioning his approach during a transition period.
Why is the ‘bazooka’ celebration controversial in Pakistan-India matches?
The gesture, mimicking a gun, was first used by Sahibzada Farhan during the Asia Cup and interpreted by Indian fans as mocking the Indian Army after the May 2025 border clash. Though the ICC reprimanded Farhan, the gesture became politically charged. Haris repeating it, even in domestic cricket, ignored the heightened tensions and risked reigniting diplomatic friction under the guise of celebration.
Is Mohammad Haris still likely to play for Pakistan despite the controversies?
Yes. He was Pakistan’s third-highest run-scorer in the Asia Cup 2025 with 131 runs at a strike rate of 133.67, making him one of the team’s most explosive middle-order options. The PCB values his batting, even as they face criticism for failing to guide his behavior. He’s expected to return for the T20I series against South Africa.
What’s the PCB’s role in Haris’s public image issues?
The PCB has been silent on both Haris’s comments about Babar Azam and his ‘bazooka’ celebration. This lack of guidance suggests a systemic failure in player development. While they’re pushing for youth, they haven’t invested in media training, emotional intelligence, or cultural sensitivity—critical tools for players representing Pakistan on global stages.
How does this affect Pakistan’s chances in future tournaments?
If Pakistan can’t manage the transition from legends like Babar and Rizwan to players like Haris without internal chaos, their credibility will suffer. Talent alone doesn’t win tournaments—discipline, composure, and team culture do. Haris’s controversies are symptoms of a deeper issue: a system rushing youth into the spotlight without preparing them for its weight.
