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LAUDERHILL: Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop was left surprised by Pakistan’s decision to send Mohammad Haris down the order during the first T20I at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground on Friday.
Haris only got to face one ball, the final delivery of the innings, but made it count with a towering six to close out Pakistan’s total on a high.
While on commentary, Bishop lauded the wicketkeeper-batter’s clean hit but questioned the logic behind his late entry.
“Mohammad Haris! He does this sort of thing. I’m surprised he has come in so late,” Bishop remarked.
The 24-year-old is usually slotted in at No. 3, a position where he has previously delivered explosive performances, most notably in the home series against Bangladesh earlier this year.
Mohammad Haris was Pakistan’s top scorer in that series with 179 runs in three games, including a brutal 107* off 46 balls laced with eight fours and seven sixes.
However, his recent form in the away series against Bangladesh saw a dip, managing just nine runs in three matches.
For the unversed, after being sent in to bat, Pakistan put up 178-6 in their 20 overs against the West Indies, a total built largely on Saim Ayub’s classy knock.
The left-hander struck his second T20I fifty, scoring a fluent 57 off 38 with five fours and two sixes.
His 81-run partnership with Fakhar Zaman (28 off 24) laid the foundation after Sahibzada Farhan (14) fell early to a sharp Shamar Joseph delivery.
Saim Ayub brought up his fifty in style before being removed by Holder in the 12th over. Fakhar soon followed, and the innings briefly stuttered.
Hassan Nawaz added a quick 24 off 18, while Faheem Ashraf (16 off 9), skipper Salman Ali Agha (11* off 7), and Mohammad Haris (6*) ensured a strong finish.
For the West Indies, Joseph impressed with 3-30, while Holder, Hosein, and Shepherd claimed one wicket each.
Defending 179, Pakistan restricted the hosts to 164-7, thanks to Mohammad Nawaz and Saim Ayub’s tidy bowling.
The second T20I between Pakistan and the West Indies will be played at the same venue on 3 August.
READ: Salman Ali Agha lauds team effort after first T20I win over West Indies
