Babar Azam does not score again; he also answers his critics. After a turbulent 2026 T20 World Cup in which Pakistan crashed out in the Super 8s and Babar came under intense scrutiny for a Powerplay strike rate that dipped below 100, the batter found form again in Peshawar Zalmi yellow. He dismantled Islamabad United in the qualifiers at the National Stadium in Karachi on Tuesday night to send his team into the final of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026.
The Zalmi skipper’s second century of the season was a much better display of T20 pace. His 103 off 59 deliveries, which included 12 fours and four sixes, took Peshawar to 221/7. In the process, Babar moved to 588 runs for the tournament, equaling the all-time record for most runs in a single edition of the PSL.
He also became only the second batsman after Usman Khan to score two centuries in the same PSL season. With his fourth century in the league, Babar now stands alone at the top of the all-time list of centurions.
However, it was his post-match reflection that stood out. “I’m starting to feel like I’m getting back to my best,” Babar said with a quiet confidence that seems to have been missing during his recent international matches.
“I try to keep things simple and trust my skills and just execute my game according to the situation – what the pitch calls for, how to handle different bowlers and when to attack,” he added. on his improved form.
The contrast with his World Cup form is stark. Earlier this year, Babar managed just 91 runs in six matches during Pakistan’s disappointing campaign, leading to his temporary exclusion from the ODI squad and renewed questions about his fitness and relevance in T20 cricket.
Critics called him a burden in a format geared toward high-speed aggression. Still, this PSL season suggests that Babar has adapted. His strike rate in qualifying, 174.58, showed he can still step up when the situation calls for it.
“The hard work I put in before the PSL is helping now,” he said. “Even though it wasn’t the same before, they’re starting to come back and I want to keep that consistency.”
After Islamabad United were bowled out for 151, Peshawar Zalmi sealed 70 runs to reach the final for the first time in five seasons. The innings, numbers and Babar’s own words combined to mark a return to form after a tough international campaign.
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
29 Apr 2026 10:08 IST
