Tag: Babar Azam

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

READ: Salman Ali Agha reflects on Haris Rauf’s bowling in Asia Cup final

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.

READ: Rajasthan Royals sold for whopping price in mega IPL deal

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.

READ: Hasan Nawaz’s India comments go viral after ‘hate’ remark

LAHORE: Fakhar Zaman delivered a record-equalling performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 clash against Quetta Gladiators, smashing a breathtaking century to guide Lahore Qalandars to a commanding total at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.

The left-handed opener blazed his way to 103 in just 51 deliveries, registering his third century in the league and drawing level with Babar Azam for the most centuries in PSL history.

With this milestone, Fakhar joins an elite group of batters, including Babar, Usman Khan, Kamran Akmal and Rilee Rossouw, who have each scored three centuries in the tournament.

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Notably, Babar Azam scored his third century to reach the landmark on Sunday, also against the Gladiators.

Fakhar’s innings not only powered Qalandars to 197-6 but also saw him achieve another significant feat, becoming the first batter to score 1000 PSL runs at Gaddafi Stadium, the home venue of the franchise.

The aggressive opener further strengthened his legacy with Lahore, extending his record as the highest run-scorer for a single franchise in PSL history.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Having represented Qalandars since 2017, he has now amassed more than 3,200 runs exclusively for the side.

On the overall PSL run charts, Fakhar currently sits second with 3246 runs, trailing only Babar Azam, who leads the list with 3792 runs across stints with multiple franchises, including Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings and Islamabad United.

READ: Dasun Shanaka breaks silence on his PSL ban

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam reflected on his batting approach after scoring a brilliant century against Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday night.

Babar scored an unbeaten century from 52 balls, propelling his side to a record total of 255-3 in 20 overs.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Babar described his 12th T20 century as a memorable moment, adding that it came with a tense finish.

“Reaching a milestone like this is an incredible feeling, but it was a bit of a roller coaster at the end. When I put in that dive, I genuinely thought I had fallen short of the crease. It wasn’t until my partner told me I’d made it that the emotions really hit me,” he said.

Babar was involved in a 135-run partnership with Kusal Mendis, who made 83 from 43 balls. The right-hander revealed the key behind the successful stand, noting that both batters continuously assessed conditions to set a competitive total.

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“Out in the middle, constant communication is key. Mendis and I were continuously assessing the conditions to gauge what a competitive score would be on this specific track,” Babar revealed.

“In the early stages of our partnership, he was hitting the ball so cleanly that my primary focus was simply getting him on strike. Once he departed, I knew I had to shift gears, step up, and take on that scoring responsibility to maintain the momentum he had built,” he continued.

The 31-year-old credited bowlers for showing determination and praised the players warming the bench.

“A huge amount of credit must go to our young bowlers for how they’ve stepped up. I also want to acknowledge the players on the sidelines; even those not currently in the XI due to team combinations have been working incredibly hard and pushing the group forward.”

He further noted that the team made full use of an eight-day break to prepare specific plans, which were executed effectively under pressure.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“We utilized our eight-day break to prepare meticulously, and it’s very rewarding to see the players execute those specific plans so well under pressure,” the skipper maintained.

“As for the remaining games, we’ll take some time to assess where we stand. We want to maintain our winning rhythm, but we will certainly look at whether there’s an opportunity to test our bench strength and give others a chance to contribute before the tournament progresses further,” he concluded.

READ: PSL 11: Babar Azam breaks multiple records against Quetta Gladiators

KARACHI: Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi shattered multiple records against Quetta Gladiators in the 29th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 played here at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday night.

Put into bat first, Zalmi racked up 255 for the loss of three wickets in their 20 overs, largely due to a 135-run stand between Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis.

The total was the 2017 champions’ highest in PSL history and overall third in the tournament’s history. Earlier in the tournament, Zalmi had recorded 246-3 against Karachi Kings.

Highest totals in PSL history

Quetta Gladiators – 263/3 against Islamabad United in 2025
Multan Sultans – 262/3 against Quetta Gladiators in 2023
Peshawar Zalmi – 255/3 against Quetta Gladiators in 2026
Quetta Gladiators – 253/8 against Multan Sultans in 2023
Islamabad United – 251/5 against Karachi Kings in 2025

The foundation for a big total was laid by Babar, who scored an unbeaten 100 off only 52 balls, striking six fours and four sixes.

His 52-ball century, the fastest he has made in this prestigious league, allowed him to match the record for most PSL centuries, joining Kamran Akmal, Rilee Rossouw, and Usman Khan.

Additionally, Babar shared a 135-run partnership for the second wicket with Mendis, which also tied him with India’s Virat Kohli for the most century-plus stands in T20s.

Most 100 partnerships in T20 cricket

47 – Virat Kohli (India)
47 – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
46 – Chris Gayle (West Indies)
45 – David Warner (Australia)
40 – Faf du Plessis (South Africa)

Notably, Babar Azam only played one dot ball during his 52-ball innings. According to the ball-by-ball database, which includes over 3,000 innings of 50 or more balls in T20s worldwide, no batter has ever had as few as one dot ball in such an innings.

READ: PSL 11: Babar, Mendis and bowlers sink Quetta Gladiators

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi, led by star batter Babar Azam, have officially secured their place in the playoffs of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The 2017 champions, currently sitting at the top of the eight-team points table with 13 points from seven matches, confirmed their qualification after Quetta Gladiators defeated Lahore Qalandars by six wickets on Friday.

The result ensured that Zalmi’s tally can no longer be overtaken by any side outside the top four by the conclusion of the league phase.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Zalmi began their campaign with an impressive five-wicket win over debutants Rawalpindiz in a high-scoring encounter.

Their following match against Islamabad United was washed out due to rain, but that proved to be only a minor interruption in what has otherwise been a dominant run.

From there, Zalmi stitched together a series of victories, overcoming Hyderabad Kingsmen, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators in succession to strengthen their grip on the top spot.

With qualification secured, Peshawar Zalmi will now turn their focus towards maintaining form heading into the knockout stages.

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They are scheduled to face Quetta Gladiators next on Sunday before travelling to Lahore for their remaining league fixtures against Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars on April 22 and 25, respectively.

This marks Zalmi’s 10th appearance in the PSL playoffs, underlining their consistency as one of the league’s most competitive sides.

Their only group-stage exit came last season, while their best moment remains the title-winning campaign in 2017. They have also finished as runners-up on three occasions, in 2018, 2019 and 2021.

READ: PSL 11: Glenn Maxwell creates history with rare T20 milestone

KARACHI: Ace batter Babar Azam on Wednesday became the fourth player overall to complete 100 half-centuries in T20 cricket. 

The Peshawar Zalmi skipper achieved the feat during his side’s clash against Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

With this milestone, Babar joined Australia’s David Warner, India’s Virat Kohli, and England’s Jos Buttler.

Most half-centuries in men’s T20s

David Warner (Australia) – 116 in 435 innings
Virat Kohli (India) – 107 in 401 innings
Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 100 in 341 innings
Jos Buttler (England) – 100 in 468 innings

Notably, Babar has been in fine form in PSL 11 and currently sits second on the run-scorers’ chart. The right-hander has amassed 301 runs in six matches at an average of 75.25 at a strike rate of 132.59.

Babar scored an unbeaten 71 off 51 balls in Zalmi’s dominant win over Gladiators, marking his 100th half-century in T20s.

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Chasing a modest target of 155, Zalmi got off to a strong start as Mohammad Haris and Babar Azam put together a brisk 75-run opening stand. Haris scored 35 off 28 balls before being dismissed, but the platform had already been set.

Babar, anchoring the innings, found support from Kusal Mendis, who contributed 21 runs during a steady 49-run partnership. After Mendis departed, Babar ensured there were no late hiccups.

The Zalmi captain remained unbeaten on 71 off 51 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries, and guided his side home comfortably with nine balls to spare.

Earlier, Zalmi’s decision to field first proved spot on as Quetta struggled to build momentum and were bowled out for 154 in 20 overs.

Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit starred with the ball, both taking wickets.

For his outstanding bowling performance, Muqeem bagged his second player of the match award.

READ: Babar Azam credits bowlers for dominant win against Quetta Gladitors