Pakistan’s star batsman and Peshawar Zalmi skipper, Babar Azam, is in the dock in the current Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10, especially for his lackluster performance against left-arm fast bowlers. With his elegant strokeplay and consistency, Babar is being questioned hard as his weakness against left-arm pacers becomes increasingly evident.
Alarming Stats in PSL 2025
In the ongoing PSL season, Babar has struggled a lot against bowlers such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir, David Willey, Ben Dwarshuis, and Mir Hamza. In these matches combined, he has scored a total of only 8 runs off 28 deliveries, sporting a strike rate of just 28.60 and an average of 2.00. More concerning is that he has been dismissed 4 times by left-arm speedsters in this season alone.
Persistent Struggles Against Mohammad Amir
Babar’s record against Mohammad Amir is of particular concern. During PSL 2025, Babar Azam has scored just 1 run off 6 deliveries against Mohammad Amir and has already fallen to him twice, highlighting a major concern in this matchup. Considering his total PSL interactions with Amir, Babar has received 25 balls, achieved 20 runs with a strike rate of 80, and has been dismissed 3 times. All these figures point toward a persistent pattern of struggle, particularly in such high-pressure contexts.
A Hole in an Otherwise Impressive Record
This vulnerability contrasts with Babar Azam’s generally sound batting record in T20 cricket. His failure to handle left-arm pace well is now being regarded as a strategic weakness that rival teams are certain to target in the knockout phase of the tournament.
What’s Next for Babar and Peshawar Zalmi?
With Peshawar Zalmi sitting second last on the PSL 2025 points table, the pressure is building. With the tournament now reaching its business end, all eyes will be on Babar to determine if he can modify his game and overcome this glaring weakness.
Peshawar Zalmi’s next match is scheduled for May 2 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, where they will face Islamabad United. The performance in this match could prove crucial, not just for the team’s playoff hopes but also for Babar’s leadership and form under pressure.