![Babar Azam gets questioned despite PSL ton [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1776781218225_BabarAzamgetsslammeddespitePSLcentury.jpg?type=hq)
Babar Azam gets questioned despite PSL ton [Source: AFP]
Babar Azam, Pakistan’s senior star, recently recovered from his form slump in the PSL 2026 season. However, the Peshawar Zalmi captain’s knock was heavily questioned by critics.
During the Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators clash, Babar scored an unbeaten 100 off just 52 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes. Owing to his blazing knock, Zalmi won the game by 118 runs.
Ex-cricketers not satisfied with Babar Azam’s century
However, the Pakistan cricket fraternity was left divided on Babar Azam’s hundred. Former cricketers Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal praised the senior star but also raised an important question.
While both lauded the quality of the century, they drew a clear line between franchise success and international achievement.
“There is a world of difference between international cricket and PSL. What has happened to Pakistan cricket over the last six or seven years — that is the conversation. If Babar shows even fifty percent of this standard in international cricket, we will praise him," Ali said on Game Plan show.
Basit argued that while Babar Azam has excelled in bilateral series and T20 leagues, replicating that dominance in ICC tournaments, under higher pressure and against stronger, more varied attacks, remains a challenge.
"The problem is our ICC event performances in 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 — where did we stand? You cannot mix PSL with that. This is not top bowling. These are not top teams," he added.
Also Read - Babar Azam Surpasses Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle In Elite T20 Batters List
Kamran Akmal also weighs his thoughts
On the other hand, former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal offered a slightly different perspective. At Peshawar Zalmi, Babar Azam operates within a settled and supportive batting unit, where players like Kusal Mendis and others provide balance and freedom.
“In the Pakistan team there is no batting lineup like this. Sometimes they send him at four, sometimes at three — it hurts him and it hurts the team. If Mendis gets out, Bracewell is there. Samad is there. Faran Yousuf is there. That support is what any good player needs," Akmal said.
In contrast, Pakistan’s national side has often experimented with batting positions and combinations, leaving less room for stability. According to Akmal, such inconsistency can directly impact a player’s output, regardless of individual skill.
Babar Azam helps Zalmi beat Quetta
Meanwhile, Babar Azam led from the front to help Peshawar Zalmi beat Quetta Gladiators by 118 runs in the PSL 2026 season. Babar scored a century in the first inning, after which Zalmi finished with a strong total of 255/3.
In the chase, the Gladiators collapsed under pressure and could only reach 137. Mohammad Basit and Ali Raza picked three wickets each, while Aaron Hardie contributed with 2 wickets.
With that commanding victory, Peshawar Zalmi not only topped the points table but also qualified for the playoff, thus becoming the first team to do so in the PSL 2026 season.
Also Read - SRH, Delhi Capitals Claim Contrasting Toss Records In IPL 2026
