Babar Azam (Source: AFP)Babar Azam has once again become the talk of the town in Pakistan cricket after his stellar performance in the ongoing Pakistan Super League 2026. As the tournament reaches its climax, the star batter has shown exceptional form and has also led his PSL team, Peshawar Zalmi, into the final.While many players have impressed in PSL 2026, Babar Azam’s aggressive form and consistent batting have stood out. His performances have also reignited discussions about his leadership for Pakistan as the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027 approaches.Why was Babar Azam removed as Pakistan's captain?Babar Azam’s captaincy journey has been eventful over the past few years. He first stepped down as Pakistan's captain after the team’s disappointing exit from the 2023 World Cup . However, he was returned shortly afterwards, only to resign again in October 2024.The decision came after a difficult phase for Pakistan cricket. The team suffered a shocking loss to the USA in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and failed to progress beyond the group stage. During his second stint, Pakistan struggled in T20Is; at the same time, Babar’s own batting form declined across formats. The pressure of captaincy, combined with poor results, began to take a toll on his performance.Also Read: Babar Azam Takes Sly Dig At Mike Hesson-Led Pakistan Personnel For T20 World Cup WoesIn his resignation statement, Babar made it clear that he wanted to focus on his batting and reduce his workload."I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men's cricket team. It's been an honour to lead this team, but it's time for me to step down and focus on my playing role. Captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but it's added a significant workload" Babar said.Babar Azam talks about the future of Pakistan's captaincyNow, with his form back at its peak, Babar Azam has addressed the question of returning as Pakistan’s captain. Speaking ahead of the PSL 2026 final against Hyderabad Kingsmen, Babar stated that he is currently focus is entirely on winning the PSL final with Peshawar Zalmi. However, he did not rule out a future leadership role."The issue of captaincy is another thing right now I am just focussing on the Pakistan Super League final. But if in future such a situation arises I will always do what is in the best interests of Pakistan cricket,” Babar said in a media conference.He stated that if the opportunity arises again, he would make a decision based on what is best for Pakistan cricket.He also spoke about dealing with criticism, admitting that it is something beyond his control. “Whether I do well or don't do well the criticism is there so nothing I can do about it. But I get a lot of confidence from my fans and supporters and I am really excited about doing well in the final on Sunday,” he added.Babar Azam’s performance in PSL 2026Babar's numbers in PSL 2026 have been remarkable. The star player has played 10 innings and scored 588 runs at an average of 84.00 and a strike rate of 146.27. This consistency has also made him the leading run-scorer of the season.In the process, he has equalled the record of Fakhar Zaman for the most runs in a single PSL edition. He also joined Usman Khan as one of the few players to score two centuries in the same season.Most Runs in a PSL SeasonFakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars) – 588 runs in 2022Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) – 588 runs* in 2026Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) – 569 runs in 2024Babar Azam (Karachi Kings) – 554 runs in 2021Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans) – 550 runs in 2023Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans) – 546 runs in 2022With the form by his side, Babar Azam now has a chance to lift the PSL 2026 trophy with Peshawar Zalmi.Also Read: Shakib Al Hasan Sets His Sights At Bangladesh Return On One Condition
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