KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam reflected after his team romped into the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.
Babar starred with a match-winning 103 from 59 balls, propelling his side’s total to 221 in 20 overs against Islamabad United.
In reply, United were bowled out for 151 in 18.4 overs, showcasing a clinical bowling performance.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Babar underscored the importance of the Qualifier and said it was a fortunate occasion for fans present at the stadium.
“It was like a semi-final for us. The fans were fortunate to witness my century,” he told reporters.
“It is important that performance remains consistent at all times. I have belief in myself, and the goal is to perform better and better. With the passage of time, I have learned and understood a lot more,” the right-hander added.
With a two-match Test series against Bangladesh coming up, the skipper also emphasized mental preparation.
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“I know that in a few days I have to start preparing for Test cricket. You have to be mentally prepared for every format,” Babar said.
He revealed that he is now more disciplined while downplaying the external noise.
“Nothing much has changed; I have just worked more on discipline. I do not think too much about what people say about me.”
“I am often told that I don’t know how to finish matches. My focus remains only on cricket. I do not keep track of records or know which one is broken. I watch my old videos to improve my performance,” he said.
He also believed that working on his power-hitting skills was paying off, while hailing his batting partner, Kusal Mendis.
“I am working on power-hitting, and it is paying off. Kusal Mendis is one of the best batters from Sri Lanka. I keep talking to Mendis for tips and advice.,” he concluded.
READ: Babar Azam breaks multiple records with century against Islamabad United