Kamran Akmal: “Haris’ advantage is only in the top three positions”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal wants big-hitter Mohammad Haris promoted up the batting order as he feels the 24-year-old is only useful as an opener or at number three.
Haris has been batting in the middle order lately, usually coming in at number six.
However, Akmal feels the Peshawar native’s potential is wasted in that role as he rarely has enough time to build an innings and must start hitting big from ball one.
“Haris’ advantage is only in the top three positions,” he was quoted as saying by A Sports.
Haris recently played in Pakistan’s T20I tri-series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan in Sharjah.
In five games, he made 33 runs at an average of 6.60 and a strike-rate of 84.61.
Haris has fared a lot better in the ongoing 2025 Asia Cup, having scored 131 runs in six matches, which includes a top score of 66, at an average of 26.20 and a strike-rate of 136.45.
Pakistan beat Oman and the UAE in the group stage, but lost to India as well.
They were defeated by India again in the Super Four, but fought back to take down Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, which secured them a spot in the final.
The Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan will be played on September 28 in Dubai.
Pakistan squad for UAE T20I tri-series and 2025 Asia Cup: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem