Shaheen Afridi sitting with other PSL captains (Source: X)
The relationship between Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam often becomes the subject to discuss, particularly when Pakistan fans are around.
The duo, along with six other PSL captains, were sitting together on Wednesday during the 11th hour of Pakistan’s elite T20 league.
PSL 2026 will get underway on March 26, with defending champions Shaheen’s Lahore Qalandars kicking off the proceedings by meeting Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Shaheen Afridi Loses Temper Over Babar Azam Question
Just when things were about to start afresh, a journalist from Pakistan ruined Shaheen’s mood during the PSL captains’ meet. The question came to Shaheen, along with Babar Azam and Shadab Khan, regarding their form and consistency for Pakistan.
The journalist also highlighted Babar’s strike rate in T20Is, and Shaheen was caught laughing throughout the question, assuming that this could be the talking point when their country’s biggest T20 league was about to get underway.
While the journalist was seeking answers from all three, Babar and Shadab remained silent. Shaheen Afridi, on the other hand, did not prefer silence, and he mentioned that the questions should be around PSL, and he will get better answers if he would stick to the subject, instead of Pakistan cricket.
Here's the full video:
Also Read: PSL 2026 Players List: All Injuries, Withdrawals, And Replacements
Which Team Does Babar Azam Play In PSL 2026?
Babar will play for Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 2026. He has been with the franchise since 2022, when Karachi Kings traded him to Peshawar for Shoaib Malik and Haider Ali.
Prior to that, Babar Azam played for another PSL franchise -- Islamabad United.
Overall, Babar has played 100 matches in the Pakistan Super League. He averages 44.61 for his aggregate score of 3792 runs, which, though, came at a questionable strike rate of 127.50.
Last year, Babar did not have a great campaign in PSL, having made 288 runs across 10 innings at a strike rate of 128.57.
How Many PSL Titles Shaheen Afridi Has Won?
Shaheen has had immense success as captain in PSL. Last year, he became the first captain in the history of the competition to win three PSL titles as a leader. He achieved the feat by lifting the prestigious trophy in 2022, 2023 and 2025.
So far, Shaheen has played 84 matches in the Pakistan Super League and has been with the same franchise – Lahore Qalandars. The 25-year-old has scalped 122 wickets at an economy rate of 7.97, averaging just over 20.
How Many Teams Are In PSL 2026?
While Shaheen Afridi will be captaining Lahore Qalandars in PSL 2026, Babar Azam will lead Peshawar Zalmi. In total, there will be eight teams in total for the first time in the competition’s history.
Apart from Lahore and Peshawar, the others are Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United, and newly introduced teams Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi Pindiz.
Also Read: Mohammad Rizwan-Led PSL Team Insults Mohsin Naqvi; Signs Player Who Openly Attacked PCB
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