Easily the most ridiculous post on PP today. He was playing at a decent strike rate and we didn’t need more than that to win on a tricky pitch against a decent attack.
Moving him to 6 would be suicidal.
Unlike hormonal fan boys who are considering him the next holy spirit of cricket, I am displaying cautious optimism because of our experience with Haider and Umar. I am not criticizing him, just giving an opinion on how he can be utilized if he fails in the future.
For reference, he came to bat with Pakistan at 105/1 after 12.4 overs. If you still think he played according to situation (as cricinfo does too), then we differ in principle and can agree to disagree. I have only included narrow misses and slogs here. Pay particular attention to the 19th over, which he set up beautifully himself and then threw his wicket:
43 from 41 needed, Rizwan on the other end
13.2 Sodhi to Mohammad Haris, no run
Low full-toss from Sodhi, Haris shapes for the reverse-sweep and is hit on the pad, perhaps outside the line of off stump. Williamson calls for a review of the on-field not-out decision. Ultra Edge confirms that there was no bat involved. Yes, impact outside the line of off. Haris was also back in the safety of his crease by the time Conway flipped the bails off
40 from 36 needed, Rizwan on the other end
14.1 Santner to Mohammad Haris, 2 runs
Tossed up on middle, Haris collapses his back knee, manufactures some swinging room and hoists the ball away to the left of wide long-off. Well played
14.2 Santner to Mohammad Haris, 1 run
Slower through the air and outside off, drags a sweep against the turn to long-on. Good comeback from Santner
14.6 Santner to Mohammad Haris, 1 run
Tossed up and outside off, Haris aims a sweep and top-edges it away from the reach of Conway
31 from 30 needed, Rizwan on the other end
15.1 Southee to Mohammad Haris, no run
Short and wide of off, thrashed off the back foot to point. Cut in the air and Santner drops it. He was late to react to it and hence spills it. Uncharacteristic drop from Santner
24 from 23 needed, Rizwan on the other end
16.2 Boult to Mohammad Haris, no run
Slower bouncer, angling across off, Haris swishes and is beaten by the change of pace
16.3 Boult to Mohammad Haris, 1 leg bye
Haris shuffles across off even before Boult delivers the ball. Haris swings for the hills and might have edged it onto his pad... or not. NZ have lost their reviews
19 from 17 needed, Masood on the other end
17.1 Ferguson to Mohammad Haris, 1 bye
Slower ball outside off, grips and floats away outside after beating the outside edge. Conway fumbles and they hare across for a bye
17.3 Ferguson to Mohammad Haris, no run
On-pace length ball, angling in, Haris slogs, loses his shape and ekes out an inside edge back to Conway
8 from 12 needed, Masood on the other end
18.1 Santner to Mohammad Haris, no run
Looped up and turns away outside off, Haris sweeps and misses
18.2 Santner to Mohammad Haris, 1 run
Dropped by Sodhi this time at short third. He stretches out, dives forward, and shells it. Haris goes for the reverse-sweep and miscues it
18.4 Santner to Mohammad Haris, 1 run
Short and Santner hides it away from the swinging arc of Haris. Forced away to sweeper cover
18.6 Santner to Mohammad Haris, OUT
Caught at short fine leg. Finn Allen makes no mistake. Haris jumps across off stump even before Santner delivers. The left-arm fingerspinner adjusts and darts it shorter to hit the top edge. End of a fine innings from Haris