Babar Azam’s Redemption Century Powers Peshawar Zalmi into PSL Final After Commanding Win Over Islamabad United
Babar Azam’s Redemption Century Powers Peshawar Zalmi into PSL Final After Commanding Win Over Islamabad United
KARACHI: In a night charged with emotion and significance at the National Bank Stadium, Babar Azam produced a masterclass century to guide Peshawar Zalmi into the HBL Pakistan Super League final with a dominant 70-run victory over Islamabad United in the qualifier.
The former Pakistan captain’s innings, his fourth PSL hundred, was more than just a match-winning performance — it was a statement of resurgence after a prolonged period of scrutiny over form and strike rate. Anchoring Zalmi’s innings with composure and precision, Babar ensured his side posted a formidable total before sealing their first PSL final appearance in five years.
Speaking after the match, Babar acknowledged the importance of the moment, describing it as a “semi-final of sorts” and a defining performance for both him and the team.
“It is very special for me,” he said. “Performing in such a big match where the team needed me to stay out there as long as possible — I think that’s exactly what was required.”
The innings also propelled Babar to the top of the PSL batting charts this season, where he now sits on 588 runs, equalling Fakhar Zaman’s record for most runs in a single PSL campaign with one match still remaining.
However, the milestone comes after what Babar described as a challenging phase in his career, during which questions were raised over his approach and strike rate. Instead of dismissing the criticism, he credited introspection and experience for his turnaround.
“Time teaches you everything,” he said. “When you fall and come back stronger, it feels really good.”
Babar revealed that his resurgence has come from returning to his natural game rather than attempting to over-adapt to modern power-hitting demands.
“There is no big difference,” he explained. “I have become more disciplined and focused. Sometimes you realise you need to go back to basics.”
He added that self-analysis played a crucial role in his improvement, including reviewing past innings and working closely with coaches to refine his approach.
“No one else makes you realise it — you realise it yourself,” Babar said. “I analysed my batting, worked on my mistakes, and focused on improvement. Routine matters the most.”
This season, his strike rate has crossed 146, reflecting a more balanced approach between timing and controlled aggression, something he said has improved his execution in different match situations.
“As for hitting, my hitting was like this before as well,” he noted. “The difference is better execution and understanding what the situation demands.”
Despite the external criticism during his lean patch, Babar remained focused on his process rather than public debate.
“I try to keep my mind as calm as possible, focus on cricket, and try to win matches,” he said.
On a night where Zalmi’s dominance secured their place in the final, Babar’s performance stood out not just for its technical brilliance but for its symbolic weight — a reminder of resilience, recalibration, and return to form at the highest level.
