Ex-Pakistan Captain Warns Against Equating PSL with International Cricket

Photo Collected

A+ A A-

**Babar Azam’s PSL Century Lauded, But Critics Urge Caution on International Impact**

PESHAWAR ZALMI batter Babar Azam’s explosive century, which powered his team to a dominant 118-run victory, has drawn widespread praise from former Pakistani cricketers Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal. However, the analysts cautioned against viewing this Pakistan Super League (PSL) performance as a definitive answer to criticisms of Azam’s international record.

Speaking on their YouTube channel, “Game Plan,” Ali hailed Azam’s knock as one of the finest in PSL history. “He faced two spinners and then Alzari Joseph – who is no ordinary bowler, a ‘mystery’ spinner who has troubled every batter in this tournament,” Ali remarked. “This century came against such an attack. I thoroughly enjoyed watching his batting.”

Both former cricketers specifically lauded the partnership between Azam and Kusal Mendis, suggesting it has transformed Azam’s approach in the T20 format. “When Mendis scored a century, Babar supported him well. Now Babar has scored a century, and Mendis has supported him. This pair is very effective for Peshawar Zalmi,” Akmal observed.

Ali added that this partnership has unleashed the aggressive batting style fans have long desired from Azam. “For the last two or three years, Babar hasn’t had a batter like this alongside him. The team wasn’t structured to allow him to play his game, to progress in the modern cricket style. Mendis has made a big difference,” he said.

Despite many on social media highlighting Azam’s century as a response to his detractors, Ali and Akmal remained unconvinced. “There’s a huge difference between international cricket and the PSL. What has happened in Pakistan cricket over the last six or seven years is the real discussion,” Ali stated.

He elaborated, “If Babar can show even 50 percent of this quality in international cricket, we will praise him. But where were our performances in the ICC events of 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026? The PSL cannot measure that. The bowling here isn’t top-tier, nor are the teams.”

Akmal echoed these sentiments, attributing issues to team composition. “The Pakistan team doesn’t have such a batting lineup. Sometimes he’s sent at number four, sometimes at number three – this is detrimental to him and the team,” he argued.

Reflecting on the broader tournament landscape, Ali suggested that few teams can currently challenge Peshawar Zalmi in their current form. He believes only Multan Sultans and Islamabad United could pose a threat, and Zalmi have already convincingly defeated Multan. Ali posited that Zalmi’s formidable form might even present a stern challenge to the Indian Premier League’s in-form Punjab Kings, should they have the opportunity to face them.