Tanveer Ahmed to Haris: First Build Your Value Before Talking About Babar Azam

Former Pakistan fast bowler Tanveer Ahmed has strongly criticized young wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris for his recent comments about Babar Azam’s batting approach in T20 cricket. The controversy started after Haris, during an interview on a local YouTube channel, openly suggested that Babar Azam should adopt a faster style of play in the shortest format. He also hinted that senior players should consider stepping aside so that younger cricketers can get more opportunities at the international level.

In the interview, Haris acknowledged the contributions of Babar and Mohammad Rizwan, saying, “No doubt, Babar and Rizwan have given many match-winning performances for Pakistan. But when you want to set a new benchmark in modern T20 cricket, you also need to give chances to the juniors.” Haris further added that Babar Azam, as the team’s senior batter, “needs to play fast in T20.”

These remarks did not sit well with Tanveer Ahmed, who quickly responded on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Expressing his frustration, Tanveer wrote, “Mohammad Haris, what kind of big player are you to comment like this? You are saying that Babar Azam needs to improve his strike rate? Brother, first build your own value and career before saying such things about a world-class player.” His statement highlighted how former cricketers often feel that young players should show more respect to established stars before making such bold suggestions.

It is important to note that from 2019 to 2023, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan formed the backbone of Pakistan’s T20 batting lineup. Together, they became one of the most successful opening pairs in the world, scoring over 3,300 runs at an impressive average of 46.47. Their steady partnerships often helped Pakistan chase down targets or set competitive totals.

However, as the global T20 game has evolved, strike rates and power-hitting have become more important than just consistency. Many critics believe that Babar and Rizwan’s cautious style, while dependable, slowed down Pakistan’s scoring rate, especially in big tournaments where aggressive batting often makes the difference.

The debate gained even more attention after Pakistan’s disastrous campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The team was knocked out in the group stage, suffering a shocking defeat to the USA that left fans and experts questioning Pakistan’s overall strategy and batting approach. This early exit added fuel to the criticism directed at the senior players.

Since that tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has started to move in a new direction. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan played their last T20 International on December 13, 2024. Neither of them has featured in the shortest format in 2025, signaling that the team management may be preparing to rely more on younger players like Haris for the future.

This ongoing debate between experience and youth, as well as consistency versus aggressive strike rate, continues to divide opinions among fans, experts, and former cricketers. While some argue that legends like Babar still have plenty to contribute, others believe the future of Pakistan’s T20 cricket depends on giving more freedom and responsibility to the next generation.

READ MORE: Pakistan’s Azam Khan Opens Up on Weight Issues and Future Plans