Former Pakistani cricketer, Ahmed Shehzad took everyone by surprise with his comment on Babar Azam, following Peshawar Zalmi’s exit from the Pakistan Super League (PSL X).
Peshawar Zalmi’s journey in PSL 10 came to an abrupt halt after a defeat to Lahore Qalandars in a virtual knockout match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. For the first time in the franchise’s history, Zalmi failed to qualify for the playoffs, a result that left fans and analysts searching for answers.
As scrutiny intensified, a notable voice emerged in support of the Zalmi captain. Ahmed Shehzad took to social media to defend Babar Azam, questioning why the burden of expectation always falls on one player. He tweeted,
Yes, Babar Azam is out of form. Yes, his last 50 was slow. But why is all the pressure always on him? Cricket is a team game. What are the other 10 doing? He was taking risks today which was the right approach. Where are the rest of the batters when it matters the most? Accountability can’t be selective.
The high-pressure encounter, reduced to 13 overs per side, saw Lahore Qalandars post a formidable 149/8, thanks largely to Fakhar Zaman’s explosive 60 off 36 balls. Chasing 150, Zalmi’s batting lineup struggled, with only Daniel Sams (26*) and a handful of others reaching double figures. Babar Azam, playing his 100th PSL match, managed just 16 runs, drawing sharp criticism for not rising to the occasion.
Babar himself attributed the defeat to sloppy fielding and a lack of partnerships in the early overs, noting that dropped catches allowed Qalandars to post a higher total than expected. He also highlighted the promise shown by young players Ali Raza and Maaz Sadaqat, expressing hope for their future contributions.
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