KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam has downplayed comparisons with India veteran Virat Kohli and got a little angry when questioned about it following his team’s win over Hyderabad Kingsmen in the 11th edition of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.
During the post-match press conference, Babbar took the opportunity to explain his mindset and on-field strategy, answering questions about his approach to finishing games and managing challenging match situations.
“You can finish it. Whatever question you ask, you can leave it. But you say you are trying to do it, especially when finishing. Look, the important thing is the condition or scenario – what the team needs, what is the run rate, how to play, how is the pitch. You have to plan your game accordingly and create partnerships for the team,” Babur said.
The right-handed batter acknowledged the difficulty of executing shots under pressure and stressed the importance of focusing on his strengths and game plan.
Using his experience from previous games, he showed the patience needed to continue to improve and finish matches.
“Sometimes you think it’s an easy pitch but you can’t execute – the shots are being hit but you can’t find the gaps. You try but you can’t get the runs,” he said.
“In those moments, I remind myself of my strengths and my game plan, my best way of playing. Improvement comes with time – sometimes it takes months. I’ve finished a lot of matches; you might think I haven’t, but I’ve finished a lot,” he added.
Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne, who batted first, saw his team slump to just 145 in 18.2 overs, largely dominated in the middle overs by Peshawar’s spin duo Iftikhar Ahmed and Sufyan Mukeem.
Hyderabad’s top order offered little resistance: Mas Sadaq 17, Saim Ayub 14, Sharjeel Khan and Usman Khan fell cheaply with two and a golden duck respectively.
Kusal Perera was the lone bright spark with a 35-ball 58 including 5 fours and 2 sixes.
Labuschagne scored 27 runs off one ball with three fours, while Irrfan Khan and Hasan Khan scored nine runs each. Mahesh Deekshana and Hunain Shah were dismissed as ducks.
In reply, Peshawar Zalmi toiled during the chase but eventually reached the target in the final ball of the 20th over. Iftikhar Ahmed (15 runs) and Amir Jamal (6 runs) ensured the win.
Captain Babar top-scored with 43 runs off 37 balls with 6 fours, while Gusal Mendis and Michael Bracewell added 27 and 25 runs respectively.