Babar Azam once again underlined his stature as both a premier batter and a composed leader, guiding Peshawar Zalmi to the Pakistan Super League title in its eleventh edition. Zalmi secured the championship with a five-wicket victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen in a tightly contested final, marking a significant triumph for the franchise and its captain.
In the post-match press conference, Babar addressed growing speculation surrounding his international future and the possibility of stepping away from one of cricket’s formats. The Pakistan captain dismissed such rumours firmly, reiterating his commitment to remain active across all three international formats.
He stressed that a professional cricketer’s responsibility is to perform consistently rather than selectively participate. According to him, each format of the game offers unique learning opportunities and contributes to the development of a complete player. He placed particular emphasis on the value of Test cricket, describing it as the ultimate examination of technique, patience, and mental resilience—qualities that, he argued, directly enhance performance in limited-overs cricket as well.
Throughout the tournament, Babar Azam was among the most consistent performers with the bat. He topped the run-scoring charts, amassing 588 runs in 11 matches, including two centuries. His form played a decisive role in Zalmi’s title-winning campaign and reaffirmed his reputation as one of the most reliable batters in the format.
| Tournament | Matches | Runs | Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSL (11th edition) | 11 | 588 | 2 |
Despite his impressive statistics, Babar admitted he remained personally unsatisfied with certain aspects of his performances. He acknowledged that he was not always able to execute his preferred style of play but described such fluctuations as an inherent part of competitive cricket.
The skipper also reflected on a challenging period following the most recent T20 World Cup, during which he experienced a dip in form. He credited the unwavering support of his family, close friends, and coaching staff for helping him regain confidence and mental stability during that phase.
Babar revealed that preparation ahead of the tournament was not ideal, with limited practice time available. Consequently, he focused on simplifying his approach at the crease, prioritising natural stroke play while avoiding unnecessary risks. This return to basics, he suggested, was key to rediscovering his rhythm.
Speaking about the title win, Babar described the achievement as deeply satisfying, even if it arrived after a considerable wait. He noted that success in sport does not always come immediately, but patience and persistence eventually yield rewards.
Overall, the remarks from Babar Azam not only ended ongoing speculation about his future but also reinforced a clear message: he remains fully committed to international cricket in all its formats, with no intention of stepping aside from any version of the game.