Tag: Babar Azam

MIRPUR: Pakistan ace batter Babar Azam has returned to the nets after suffering a knee injury that ruled him out of the first Bangladesh Test.

On Sunday, the right-hander was seen practicing in the nets under the supervision of batting coach Asad Shafiq alongside the team physio and trainer. During the session, Babar also ran between the wickets.

Babar was ruled out of the opening Test against Bangladesh, which is underway at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

During Thursday’s national team training, Babar felt a sharp pain in his left knee. After informing the management, he underwent an MRI scan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the ace batter will not be part of the Playing XI due to a left-knee injury.

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“Pakistan batter Babar Azam will not be available for the first Test match against Bangladesh due to a injury in left knee,” the press release statement said.

However, it was later revealed that Babar’s injury was not serious, and he has been rested from the ongoing series opener as a precautionary measure.

The second Test will be played from 16 to 20 May at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

In the current World Test Championship (WTC) standings, Bangladesh are placed eighth, having registered one defeat and one draw from two matches, with a win percentage of 16.67.

Pakistan, meanwhile, sit fifth with one win and one loss, holding 12 points and a 50 percent win ratio.

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MIRPUR: Pakistan star batter Babar Azam has been ruled out of the opening Test against Bangladesh, set to begin tomorrow at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the ace batter will not be part of the Playing XI due to a left-knee injury.

“Pakistan batter Babar Azam will not be available for the first Test match against Bangladesh due to a injury in left knee,” the press release statement said.

The statement further said that his injury is currently being assessed, with further updates to be shared soon.

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“The team’s medical panel is currently assessing his condition. Further updates will be shared in due course,” it added.

The first of the two matches – part of the ICC World Test Championship will be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from 8 to 12 May, while Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host the second Test, which will be played from 16 to 20 May.

In the current World Test Championship (WTC) standings, Bangladesh are placed eighth, having registered one defeat and one draw from two matches, with a win percentage of 16.67.

Pakistan, meanwhile, sit fifth with one win and one loss, holding 12 points and a 50 percent win ratio.

Squads

Pakistan: Shan Masood (c), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Bangladesh (first Test): Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan, and Amite Hasan.

READ: Shan Masood downplays ‘revenge’ talk ahead of Bangladesh series

Pakistan ace batter Babar Azam has shared an inspirational story on his social media handle following Peshawar Zalmi’s triumph in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11. 

Babar took to his Instagram handle to showcase a collage of photographs featuring young cricketers and fans.

“My motivation. If I can, you all can”, the caption of the story read.

The post comes after Peshawar Zalmi’s victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen in the PSL 11 final. Babar led his side to title glory, winning the PSL trophy for the first time as a captain. Moreover, this was Zalmi’s first trophy in nine years.

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It is worth mentioning that Babar Azam served as a ball boy during the 2007 Test series between Pakistan and South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium. His journey is a symbol of determination and hard work.  As a ball boy, the 31-year-old idolized South African batter AB de Villiers and took inspiration from him.

He also remained Pakistan U-19 captain and led Pakistan into the quarter-finals of the ICC World Cup.

Since making his debut in 2015 against Zimbabwe, Babar has become one of the top performers for the national team across all three formats.

Overall, he has played 346 matches for Pakistan, amassing 15463 runs at an average of 45, including 32 centuries and 106 fifties.  He is also on the verge of breaking the record for the most ODI centuries for Pakistan, currently tied with Saeed Anwar at 20.

READ: Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi named in PSL 11 Team of the Tournament

Ace batter Babar Azam has been named as captain of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Team of the Tournament.

The team was picked by a five-member committee from the commentary panel, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed in a press release.

“Team of HBL PSL 11 consists of three players each from Peshawar Zalmi, Hyderabad Kingsmen, two each from Lahore Qalandars, Islamabad United and one each from Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators,” the statement read.

Babar led Peshawar Zalmi to title glory — ending their nine-year wait for a trophy. The right-hander amassed 588 runs, finishing as the leading run scorer, recording two centuries.

He is joined at the top by Fakhar Zaman, who racked up 401 runs off eight matches to finish third in the season.

Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis also earned a spot after a prolific campaign, finishing as the second-highest run getter with 550 runs, including four fifties and one century.

 

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The middle order features Shan Masood, who scored 367 runs at an average of 45.87, alongside Shadab Khan, who was named the tournament’s best all-rounder for his impactful performances with both bat and ball.

The wicket-keeping duties have been handed to Usman Khan, who made 389 runs, including a century and three half-centuries.

Among the bowlers, Sufyan Moqim was the standout performer, claiming 22 wickets with his left-arm wrist spin at an impressive average of 14.40 and an economy rate of 7.20. He was also adjudged Player of the Tournament and Best Bowler.

Hassan Khan and emerging star Hunain Shah are also in the lineup, scoring 139 runs at a strike rate of 195 and taking six wickets, while Hunain picked up 17 wickets in 10 matches, finishing among the leading wicket-takers despite missing early games.

Shaheen Shah Afridi also made the cut, taking 16 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 18.18.

England pacer Richard Gleeson bolsters the pace attack. who impressed with the new ball, claimed 12 wickets in nine matches at an economy rate of 7.13.

Meanwhile, Hasan Nawaz of Quetta Gladiators was named the 12th player after scoring 291 runs in 10 matches, including two half-centuries.

 PSL 11 Team of the Tournament

Babar Azam (PZ) (c), Fakhar Zaman (LQ), Kusal Mendis (PZ) (wk), Shan Masood (MS), Shadab Khan (IU), Hassan Khan (HK), Shaheen Shah Afridi (LQ), Hunain Shah (HK), Sufyan Moqim (PZ), Richard Gleeson (IU), Hasan Nawaz (QG) (12th)

READ: Babar Azam opens up on future plans after PSL 11 triumph

LAHORE: Pakistan ace batter Babar Azam has underlined his commitment to all three formats, admitting that players learn from mistakes. 

After enduring a poor run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Babar returned to form in dominant fashion, guiding Peshawar Zalmi to a PSL 11 triumph. He played a pivotal role in his side’s success, finishing as the top scorer with 588 runs in 11 matches, including two centuries.

Speaking to the media after leading Peshawar Zalmi to PSL 11 triumph, he mentioned that his focus is on all three formats, emphasizing that a batter should engage in every form of cricket.

“My focus is on all three formats. I feel a batter should play all cricket and should not limit himself to white-ball cricket,” he told reporters.

“Red-ball cricket teaches you the art of batting long and instils patience in you. It helps you to understand how you can score big runs and all the learnings from the red-ball game help you in white-ball cricket,” he added.

The skipper admitted to struggles and failures to rise on different occasions, revealing that he worked closely with his coaches to address his weaknesses.

“I was not up to my own expectations, but it is normal for a batter to struggle with his execution. You have to take a few steps back and assess where you are going wrong and correct it,” he admitted.

“You need support in such times, and my family and close friends kept me motivated. I discussed the areas of improvement with the coaches who are close to me and worked on them.”

He concluded by saying that life is like a rollercoaster, with constant changes, and that we learn from both our good and bad experiences.

“Life is like a rollercoaster, and things never stay the same. You learn from your good and bad experiences. That is how life goes.”

READ: Babar Azam misses out on breaking all-time PSL record

LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam fell just short of breaking Fakhar Zaman’s all-time record for most runs in a single edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The right-hander was caught on the first ball he faced under lights at the Gaddafi Stadium, attempting a cut shot off a wider delivery from Mohammad Ali.

Before coming into the fixture, his score was tied with Zaman’s tally of 588 runs, recorded in 2022.

Most runs in a PSL season:

Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) – 588 runs in 2026
Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars) – 588 runs in 2022
Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) – 569 runs in 2024
Babar Azam (Karachi Kings) – 554 runs in 2021
Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans) – 550 runs in 2023
Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans) – 546 runs in 2022
Kusal Mendis (Peshawar Zalmi) – 550* runs in 2026
Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) – 522 runs in 2023
Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans) – 500 runs in 2021

Nonetheless, Babar remained in supreme form during PSL 11, amassing 588 runs in 11 matches at an average of 73.50, including two centuries and three fifties.

Furthermore, the 31-year-old player matched two major records in this edition of the tournament with a blazing century against Islamabad United during the Qualifier.

Babar Azam top-scored with an explosive 103 off just 59 balls, including 12 fours and four sixes, which helped his team set a formidable total of 221-7 in 20 overs.

His 57-ball century — second of the tournament, made him the second player to achieve this milestone, joining Usman Khan, who recorded the feat in PSL 9.

READ: WATCH: Babar Azam falls for golden duck in PSL 11 final

LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam fell for a golden duck against Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The right-hander was caught on the first ball he faced under lights at the Gaddafi Stadium, attempting a cut shot off a wider delivery from Mohammad Ali.

As a result, Peshawar Zalmi were reduced to 7-2 in the first over, marking an end to an impressive over for Ali.

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Aaron Hardie wreaked havoc with the ball, dismantling Hyderabad Kingsmen for a mere total.

 

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Asked to bat first, Hyderabad Kingsmen collapsed from 71-3 to 129 all out in 18 overs.

Maaz Sadaqat was caught for 11 in the second over off Mohammad Basit’s bowling. Following an early blow, skipper Marnus Labuschagne and Saim Ayub batted with responsibility.

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The pair shared a 35-run stand off 20 balls, bringing the score to 51 in 4.4 overs.

Aaron Hardie provided Zalmi the much-needed breakthrough, removing Labuschagne, who made 20 off 12 with the aid of a six and three fours.

However, the momentum quickly shifted in the sixth over as Kingsmen lost Usman Khan and Irfan Khan in succession.

In the very next over, Nahid Rana got the prize scalp of Glenn Maxwell (0), caught at mid-wicket without scoring.

Saim Ayub remained the only solid batter, scoring an anchoring half-century. He made 54 off 50 deliveries, striking five fours and two sixes.

For Peshawar Zalmi, Aaron Hardie starred with the ball, taking four wickets in his quota of four overs.

Playing XIs

Hyderabad Kingsmen: Maaz Sadaqat, Marnus Labuschagne (capt), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Kusal Perera, Glenn Maxwell, Irfan Khan Niazi, Hassan Khan, Hunain Shah, Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis (wk), Farhan Yousuf, Michael Bracewell, Aaron Hardie, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Sufyan Moqim, Basit Ali, Nahid Rana

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Pakistan ace batter Babar Azam has responded to remarks by former all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez about players performing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). 

Hafeez previously criticized the hype surrounding players performing in PSL, suggesting that the cycle of promotion and star-driven continues without genuine change in content or direction.

“The whistles will blow again — the stage will be set once more — the advertised superstars will come out — because our foundation is the PSL,” Hafeez had said during the T20 World Cup 2026 transmission.

Speaking on “Off Topic Podcast”, Babar said that Hafeez’s statement was his personal mindset.

“I can’t say anything about this because it is Mohammad Hafeez’s own mindset,” he said.

The 31-year-old emphasized that PSL is significant for players when representing a franchise, while the approach remains competitive.

“PSL is one of the best leagues in Pakistan, and every player gives their best. It’s not like you play differently when you are in the Pakistan team. However, this is franchise cricket, and entertainment plays a bigger role here,” he continued.

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He explained that team combinations and player distribution in franchise cricket make consistent performances difficult, saying that Mohammad Hafeez’s remarks were likely meant differently.

“In the Pakistan team, you always try to ensure that all 11 players perform. But in the PSL, players are divided into different teams. If someone is your best player, he might perform in one out of 10 matches,” Babar said.

“That’s why Hafeez’s way of saying it was different. How people interpret it is a different matter.”

Peshawar Zalmi captain pointed out that the ongoing PSL season has seen emerging and overseas players dominate performances, while highlighting Sahibzada Farhan’s consistency.

“If you look at PSL 11, most of the performers are youngsters or foreign players. The same players are not performing, although Sahibzada Farhan has maintained his form. There are always new faces, and every season brings new players — this process will continue.”

“Hafeez’s way of saying it was different, but people understood it differently,” Babar concluded.

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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

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam shattered multiple records with a century against Islamabad United during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Qualifier at the National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.

The right-hander remained instrumental in propelling the team’s total to 221 at the end of 20 overs.

Babar made 103 from 59 balls, smashing 12 fours and four sixes to register his second century of the season. With this knock, he joined Usman Khan as the only other batter to have four centuries to their name in the tournament.

Most Centuries in PSL

Usman Khan — Matches: 35 | Centuries: 4
Babar Azam — Matches: 110 | Centuries: 4
Kamran Akmal — Matches: 75 | Centuries: 3
Rilee Rossouw — Matches: 104 | Centuries: 3
Fakhar Zaman — Matches: 105 | Centuries: 3

Moreover, he also became only the second batter after Usman Khan to hit two tons in a single PSL season. Usman achieved the feat in the 2024 edition.

Most Centuries In a Single Edition of PSL

Usman Khan — 2 in 2024

Babar Azam — 2 in 2026

In addition to this, Babar also became the first batter to amass 500 runs in a single PSL edition for the fourth time — 2021, 2023,2024,2026.  The 31-year-old now levels with Fakhar Zaman for most runs in a single season.

Before heading into the fixture, the right-hander had amassed 485 runs in 10 innings.

Most Runs in a PSL Season

Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars) – 588 runs in 2022
Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) – 588 runs* in 2026
Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) – 569 runs in 2024
Babar Azam (Karachi Kings) – 554 runs in 2021
Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans) – 550 runs in 2023
Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans) – 546 runs in 2022
Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) – 522 runs in 2023
Kusal Mendis (Peshawar Zalmi) – 502 runs* in 2026
Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans) – 500 runs in 2021

The record for most runs in a single edition belongs to Fakhar Zaman — 588 runs in 2022. Babar Azam could now easily surpass the tally with up to two matches remaining if Zalmi lose the Qualifier and play the eliminator, or progress to the final.

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