Babar Azam Refuses to Let T20 Format Go Despite Strike-Rate Criticism 

Having accumulated 4,596 runs across 145 matches, Babar Azam is the leading scorer in T20Is, having maintained a strike-rate of 128.02.

Babar Azam Refuses to Let T20 Format Go Despite Strike-Rate Criticism 

Babar Azam wishes to continue playing all three formats for Pakistan. (Image via NDTV Sports)

In Short
  • Babar Azam confirms his commitment to playing all three formats of cricket despite criticism over his T20 strike-rate.
  • He finished as the highest run-scorer in PSL 2026, helping Peshawar Zalmi secure their second title.
  • Azam emphasizes the importance of Test cricket for developing skills beneficial in shorter formats.

Veteran Pakistani batter Babar Azam, fresh from his success with Peshawar Zalmi in Pakistan Super League 2026 season, firmly addressed questions regarding his future. In spite of public debates about his strike-rate, the 31-year-old player confirmed he intends to continue playing in T20I.

Azam’s PSL 2026 campaign was a personal and professional triumph, as he helped Peshawar win a second title. Despite a rare first-ball duck in the final, the right-hander finished as the tournament’s highest run-getter, winning the Hanif Mohammad Cap. He scored 588 runs in 11 matches at an average of 73.50 and a much-improved strike-rate of 145.90, including two centuries.

Riding high on confidence after a successful PSL season, Azam discussed his international cricketing future. When questioned about whether he would only focus on playing specific formats for Pakistan, the star batter unexpectedly interrupted by declaring that he would continue to play across all the three formats.

Azam asserted that deciding which format to play is not the player’s role and stressed the importance of not differentiating between red-ball and white-ball cricket.

Tension na lein, teeno format kheloonga [Don’t worry, I will play in all three formats]. It’s not for the player to decide [which format to skip]; a player’s job is to play. In my opinion, every player should play every form of cricket.

Babar Azam said to reporters (H/T Indian Express)

On Test cricket, Babar Azam emphasized that playing the longest format helps a player gain valuable experience and patience, and learn the art of building an innings. The ex-Pakistani captain’s commitment to T20Is is quite surprising, given he was expected to face a tough time in making it back to the national side after an underwhelming 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, where he scored just 91 runs in six matches, at an average of 22.75. 

You should play all three formats because each one helps the other. Red ball helps you in T20s and ODIs. When you play Test matches, the patience and mindset you develop the art of playing a long innings.

Azam’s return to Pakistan’s T20I setup faces another hurdle, his low career strike-rate, despite signs of improvement in the PSL. During the T20 WC, he scored runs at a rate of 112.34, which is nowhere close to the requirement of the modern game, especially when compared to the strike-rate of his peers, like Sahibzada Farhan (160.25) and Fakhar Zaman (187.93). Azam also acknowledged that he did not meet his personal standards during the World Cup.

Keeping aside the chatter, the right-hander is expected to carry this form into Pakistan’s upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which is a part of the WTC cycle. The first Test will be played in Dhaka, starting May 8. 

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Babar Azam leads Peshawar Zalmi to PSL final victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen

Babar Azam concluded an impressive PSL 2026 season by securing the trophy for the third time, marking his first as the captain of Peshawar Zalmi. He also claimed the title of the season’s highest run-scorer following their landmark final win over Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Babar Azam PSL trophy
Babar Azam won his first PSL title as captain with Peshawar Zalmi. (via Times of India)

Peshawar edged past Hyderabad in a low-scoring clash at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Batting first, HYDK was bowled out for a mere 129 runs in just 18 overs. Saim Ayub was Hyderabad’s top run-getter, with 54 runs off 50 balls, including five boundaries and two sixes. No other batter managed to go past the 20-run mark, as Aaron Hardie finished with figures of 4/27, while Nahid Rana picked up two scalps. 

Peshawar had a rough start, as they lost openers Mohammad Haris and captain Azam on just 7 runs, in the very first over of the chase. Kusal Mendis and Michael Bracewell followed soon after. It was only an 85-run stand for the fifth wicket between Hardie and Abdul Samad that took Peshawar home. The Australian all-rounder scored 56 off 39, while Samad hit 48 off 34, to seal the win in 15.2 overs.

Hardie was named POTM, following which Peshawar was presented with the PSL trophy. Furthermore, PSZ players swept the major individual honors, with captain Babar Azam receiving the best batter award and Sufiyan Muqeem winning the best bowler award.

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