Babar Azam Under Scrutiny as Peshawar Zalmi Struggles in PSL 10
Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam is facing renewed criticism from cricket analysts and fans alike following a string of underwhelming performances by Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10.
Zalmi, under Babar’s leadership, has lost three out of four matches, raising serious questions about both his captaincy tactics and batting form, despite his well-established reputation as a top-tier batter.
Analysts Raise Concerns Over Babar’s Leadership
In a recent post-match discussion, former Pakistan women’s team captain Sana Mir acknowledged Babar’s steady leadership throughout most of the match but pointed out a decline in strategy during the final overs. “The game slipped away in the 19th over,” she noted, suggesting poor decision-making in crunch moments.
Meanwhile, former fast bowler Sohail Tanvir shared his thoughts on Babar’s technique, especially against left-arm in-swing. “As a bowler, I’ve noticed he struggles against this type of delivery,” Tanvir commented, adding that while he respects Babar’s batting prowess, it’s a flaw that needs addressing.
Last-Over Thriller: Karachi Kings Defeat Zalmi
The pressure on Babar intensified after Karachi Kings edged past Peshawar Zalmi by two wickets in a nail-biting encounter at National Stadium Karachi.
Chasing a target of 148 runs, the Kings had a rocky start as Tim Seifert fell for a golden duck on the first ball, courtesy of Luke Wood. Wood struck again in the third over, removing James Vince for just 11.
Karachi’s innings was anchored by captain David Warner, who played a crucial knock of 60 runs off 47 balls. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, including that of Warner in the 17th over, Khushdil Shah held his nerve and remained unbeaten on 23, guiding the Kings to victory in the final over.
Bowling Highlights
For Peshawar Zalmi:
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Luke Wood stood out with three wickets
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Ali Raza contributed with two crucial dismissals
Earlier, Zalmi had posted a total of 148 runs in the 11th match of PSL 10, a score that ultimately fell short in defending against a determined Karachi Kings side.
What’s Next for Babar and Zalmi?
As the tournament moves into its crucial stages, all eyes are on Babar Azam—not just as a dependable top-order batter, but as the captain expected to steer Peshawar Zalmi through high-pressure games.
Whether he can overcome tactical criticisms and deliver match-winning performances remains to be seen. One thing is clear: PSL 10 is proving to be a true test of Babar’s leadership under fire.
