Mohammad Haris has always been multi-faceted as a top-order batter, primarily batting in positions 1 to 3 in nearly three-quarters of his T20I innings. In this role, his calculated aggression and building up an innings suited him. However, the way Pakistan has gone into the Asia Cup has depended on a settled top three consisting most likely of Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, and Fakhar Zaman. Thus, Haris can no longer be in that position. The result? He has played in positions he has never played in, such as 4 or lower when the demands will be different from a top-order position. Therefore, both Pakistan's management and Haris himself exposed where he is only capable at the top.

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As a top-order batter, he averages in the late teens at a strike rate above 140 with a hundred evidence that he can start and allow for a big acceleration. But as a top middle order or lower-order, his average is a pitiful late teens and below with a below-average strike rate that effectively disallows him as a real threat in shorter formats. When given the responsibility of opening, at least in the middle overs and death overs, he has a significant issue with timing or intensity and has demonstrated he does not have the ability to altered his game when conditions or overs available to him vary, the sort of flaw that could be detrimental given primarily only three overs or four in a middle overs situation.The issue is straightforward - Haris is a specialist in a role, and if moved from there, he is a long-term risk. For the Asia Cup in a tournament like this, having clarification in roles is crucial, and the risks that comes with his uncertainty mid-order is too much.

The Case for Alternative Lower-Order Options

In light of Haris's difficulties, Pakistan should be exploring other options that may fit the profile of a middle- and lower-order batsman better. One of the strongest options is Khushdil Shah. He has comfortably batted at No. 5 to No. 7 across both T20I series this year, effecting over 500 T20I runs in 2025, averaging above 30 with a strike rate near 147. Khushdil has shown he can shift the gears of innings when required, whether that be quickly at the start or accelerating in the mid or late stages. Khushdil also has additional value as a left-arm spin option, a useful tool on UAE pitches, which often seek out more subtle variations. Given that there is expected to be some emphasis on using slow, spin- friendly surfaces within a tournament strategy, Khushdil's added versatility may afford Pakistan some critical flexibility.

Also, wicketkeeper-batter Sahibzada Farhan could provide a way of managing roles. Farhan has consistently kept wicket across both previous matches, and could combine the role with warming-up in one dual-role for the team plan and to benefit from everyone else. Farhan's selection would also provide the squad with rotational capacity, but also have depth in both disciplines, keeping and batting. Although a balanced, reliable, all-round side is preferred, and if pakistan put a plan in place which contains Khushdil or Farhan to situational adjust and others accordingly, then it is obviously better to rely on them instead of forced-fitted Haris where he has had no experience and success to date.

Pakistani opener Fakhar Zaman will miss the rest of the West Indies tour due to a hamstring injury he suffered during the second T20I in Florida.

The top-order batsman is out of the third T20I and the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies after straining his left hamstring in Lauderhill. However, the three-match ODI series in Trinidad has also been canceled. On a positive note, Pakistan bounced back to win the third T20I by 13 runs, finishing the series 1-2.

Fakhar Suffers Hamstring Injury in Second T20I

Fakhar Zaman got injured while chasing a ball in the outfield during the 19th over of the second T20I in Florida. A medical check confirmed a mild strain in his left hamstring. The 35-year-old will return to Pakistan on August 4, where he will begin his rehabilitation under the supervision of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) medical team at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.

His withdrawal from the ODI series comes at a tough time, as he has been struggling with both form and fitness in recent months. Against Bangladesh, he scored only 53 runs in three innings, and in the T20Is against the West Indies, he made 28 and 20 before the injury. With the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup approaching, Pakistan hopes to see him back in action soon.

The PCB has not yet confirmed if a replacement will be named for the three-match ODI series.

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Replacement in Third T20I

Khushdil Shah replaced Fakhar in the playing XI for the third T20I, which Pakistan won by 13 runs in Florida on Sunday. Before getting injured, Fakhar had made promising starts in the first two T20Is but failed to convert them into big scores.

Ironically, Fakhar had been included in the squad as a replacement for Saim Ayub, who suffered a similar injury six weeks earlier in South Africa while chasing a ball to the boundary. Saim was sidelined for three months due to that injury.

Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand concluded not only with a disappointing defeat but also with controversy, as all-rounder Khushdil Shah found himself at the centre of a heated altercation with fans following the third ODI in Mount Maunganui. Visibly agitated, Khushdil had to be held back by teammates and security after reacting to provocative remarks from the crowd.

The incident took place shortly after Pakistan suffered a 43-run loss, resulting in a 3-0 ODI series whitewash, following a 4-1 defeat in the T20I series. According to eyewitnesses, certain fans directed personal comments at the players as they were leaving the field. Khushdil, visibly frustrated, turned to confront the spectators, and despite the intervention of fellow players and security personnel, continued to exchange words.

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This wasn't the first disciplinary issue involving Khushdil on the tour. Earlier during the T20I series, he was fined 50 percent of his match fee and received three demerit points after colliding with New Zealand bowler Zac Foulkes while running a single in the eighth over.

Tense exchange between Khushdil Shah and fans in New Zealand.

Performance on the field = 0%
Performance off the field = 100%#PAKvNZ #NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/fuP0LobF90

— Ash (@Ashsay_) April 5, 2025

Pakistan lost the third ODI by 43 runs

In the rain-affected third ODI, the match was reduced to 42 overs per side. New Zealand made the most of their innings, putting up a competitive total of 264, thanks to a blistering 59 from Michael Bracewell and a solid half-century by Rhys Mariu.

Pakistan’s chase got off to a shaky start and was further derailed by a freak injury to opener Imam-ul-Haq, who had to be stretchered off after a deflected throw struck his jaw. Babar Azam led the resistance with a composed 50 off 58 balls, but the visitors struggled to build lasting partnerships. Ben Sears’ outstanding bowling performance — taking 5 wickets for just 34 runs — sealed Pakistan’s fate as they were bowled out for 221.

The much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 started with the Group A match between the hosts and defending champions Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday (February 19). New Zealand started the tournament with a 60-run win. 

After Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan chose to field first, New Zealand scored 320/5 in 50 overs, and the hosts replied with 260 all out. Now, we are going through some key records of the tournament opener. 

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Key Match Stats of Pakistan vs New Zealand

Will Young and Tom Latham guide New Zealand to big total

• New Zealand batters Will Young and Tom Latham hit centuries. It was the fifth time in ICC Champions Trophy history with two centuries in an innings. 
• Tom Latham (118*) became the third wicketkeeper-batter to record a century in ICC Champions Trophy history. The other two names are Zimbabwean Andy Flower (145 vs India in 2002) and Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara (134* vs England in 2013).
• With his 118*, Tom Latham recorded the second highest individual score by a New Zealand batter in ICC Champions Trophy history. The record is 145* by Nathan Astle against the USA at The Oval in the 2004 edition.
• New Zealand scored 320/5 in 50 overs. It was their second highest total in ICC Champions Trophy history. Their record is 347/4 against the USA in the 2004 The Oval match. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s 320/5 was the seventh highest total in ICC Champions Trophy history.
• New Zealand’s 320/5 was the second highest total for a team against the hosts in the ICC Champions Trophy history. The record is 323/8 by England against the hosts South Africa at Centurion during the 2009 edition. 

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Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf had a forgetable outing

• Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf ended with the bowling figures of 10-0-83-2. It was the most runs conceded by a hosts’ bowler in main ICC ODI tournament history (ICC ODI World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy). Previously, English bowler Paul Allott (1/82 against Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup 1983), New Zealand bowler Tim Southee (2/82 against West Indies in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015), and English bowler Jake Ball (1/82 against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017) jointly held the record.
• With his 2 for 83 runs bowling figures, Haris Rauf recorded the second most expensive bowling figures by a Pakistan bowler (Wahab Riaz 8.4-0-87-0 vs India in 2017) and the joint fourth most expensive bowling figures among the overall bowlers in ICC Champions Trophy history. 

Pakistan very slow start

• With 22/2, Pakistan recorded their lowest-ever first 10 overs score in a home ODI.

Khushdil Shah broke Champions Trophy record against New Zealand

• Pakistan batter Khushdil Shah completed his 50 runs in 38 balls. It was the fastest half-century record against New Zealand in ICC Champions Trophy history. English legend Alastair Cook was the previous record holder with a 39-ball fifty during the 2013 edition. 

Pakistan suffered a record defeat

• Pakistan lost the match by 60 runs. It was the largest defeat (by runs) for the hosts in ICC Champions Trophy history. The previous record was South Africa losing by 55 runs against Sri Lanka during the 2009 edition.
• New Zealand have won all their four matches against Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy history.