Harish rauf Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali didn’t hold back when he went on the offensive against Haris Rauf in response to the paceman’s remarks about former captain Babar Azam. In a fiery commentary delivered on his YouTube channel, Ali confronted Rauf with a scathing retort:
“Mohammad Haris… Babar Azam ke liye baat kare ki unko improvement ki zarurat hai. Unko dande se maarna chahiye. Tum ho kya, ki tum Babar Azam ke liye baat kar rahe ho? Babar Azam captain hota to kya yeh bayaan deta woh?”
In other words: “Who are you to advise Babar Azam to improve? If Babar were still captain, would he ever make such a statement?”
His strong words reflect the high expectations and reverence still held for the batting maestro.
The Controversial Comment That Sparked the Backlash
Haris Rauf had triggered the uproar by suggesting that Babar Azam should “play faster” if he hoped to earn a recall to Pakistan’s T20I side—a bold opinion given Babar’s stature and form in other formats.
But Babar’s omission from the Asia Cup 2025 squad had more to do with his recent T20 struggles. Despite his career T20I average of nearly 40, he hasn’t scored a half-century since May 2024.
Background: Asia Cup 2025—Changes and Reactions
- Exclusion of Experience: Both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were dropped from the Asia Cup squad in favor of younger options, a move that stirred debate across cricketing circles.
- Squad Focus & Vision: Former coach Mickey Arthur defended the selection strategy, emphasizing that the current squad aligns with the brand of cricket coach Mike Hesson and captain Salman Ali Agha want to play.
What Lies Ahead in Asia Cup 2025
With Asia Cup 2025 set to run from September 9–28 in the UAE, Pakistan finds itself at a crossroads. Babar Azam’s absence looms large, and veteran voices like Wasim Akram have expressed both regret and cautious optimism:
“Personally, I wanted to see Babar Azam in the team. But since he’s not selected, it’s up to those in the squad to step up.”
As Pakistan looks to recalibrate, reminders like Basit Ali’s scathing comment underscore the tension between tradition and transition.
Summary Table
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| Basit Ali’s Comment | Mocked Haris Rauf’s critique of Babar, saying Rauf has no right to do so. |
| Haris Rauf’s Remark | Urged Babar to “play fast” to regain T20I entry. |
| Babar’s Exclusion | Dropped from Asia Cup squad amid T20 struggles. |
| Arthur’s Rationale | Squad chosen for tactical brand and future fit. |
| Akram’s View | Hoped Babar would be included but urged current players to step up. |
| Asia Cup 2025 | Held in UAE from Sep 9–28; a pivotal tournament for Pakistan. |
