Angry with coach, Pakistani batsman smashed his bat

Sharjah: Pakistan may have already won their first two matches in the ongoing T20 Triangular Series, but their wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammed Haris let his frustration boil over on Saturday.

Usually batting at the top order between No.1 and No.3, Haris was asked by new coach Mike Hesson to come in at No.7 against hosts UAE. After getting out for just one run, Haris, in anger, slammed his bat on the ground, breaking it into two pieces. Realizing his mistake, he quietly picked up the broken bat and handle before walking back to the pavilion.

Haris’s poor form a concern for Pakistan

The 23-year-old has been struggling for runs in recent times, worrying Pakistan ahead of the Asia Cup starting September 9. In 25 T20 internationals, he has one century to his name but surprisingly no half-century.

How Pakistan won

Despite Haris’s struggles, Pakistan cruised to victory. Riding on Saim Ayub’s 69 and Hasan Nawaz’s 56, Pakistan posted 207/6 in 20 overs. For UAE, Junaid Siddique and Sagheer Khan picked up three wickets each.

In reply, despite Asif Khan’s 77, UAE could manage only 176/8 in 20 overs, handing Pakistan a 31-run win.

On Friday too, Pakistan had beaten Afghanistan by 39 runs in Sharjah, where Haris was again sent at No.7 but could score only 15.