Peshawar Zalmi captain and former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has broken his silence over recent criticism, stating that while he knows how to respond verbally, he prefers to let his performance on the field do the talking.
Speaking after his team’s mixed performances in the ongoing HBL PSL 10, Babar said, “The season has been a rollercoaster both for the team and me personally. We started by trying to find our winning combination, secured a couple of wins, but we need consistency moving forward.”
Babar admitted that Zalmis have struggled to maintain rhythm, alternating losses between batting, bowling, and especially fielding. “Conditions don’t matter as much as executing the plan. Dropping catches or losing wickets at crucial moments hurt us,” he noted.
Addressing expectations, Babar acknowledged the pressure to play long innings. “People expect me to stay at the crease longer. Even though I enjoy short innings, I know I’m not meeting the expectations in terms of playing big knocks. I make mistakes, learn, and sometimes make new ones. That’s cricket.”
On the debate around his strike rate, Babar said, “I don’t need to prove who I am. Everyone knows I play according to the match situation and what the team needs. I stay focused and stick to my game.”
He also touched on his batting positions, highlighting his adaptability. “No one has changed batting positions as much as I have. I’ve batted from number six to opener, and I do it for the team. It’s never been about personal milestones. Pakistan comes first.”
Responding to critics, Babar firmly added, “I know how to speak, but I don’t believe in talking unnecessarily. I was raised to respect everyone and let my performance do the talking. There’s dignity in silence.”
Reflecting on his career, he said, “I’ve never been satisfied, even when I was the world’s number one. I always look ahead and focus on contributing to Pakistan.”
On his T20 career and future selection, Babar stated, “It’s up to the selectors and coaches. I was told I was rested from T20s. My job is to perform in every format—Test, ODI, or T20. Whether I get selected is not in my control.”
Regarding ODI cricket, Babar expressed deep affection for the format. “ODIs test your patience and game awareness. It’s a format that holds many special memories for me. High scores are still being made. It’s not outdated at all.”
On PSL, he praised the tournament’s standards. “PSL is a top-class league. The bowling quality is exceptional, with every team having bowlers clocking 145+ km/h. Foreign players are still eager to play here. It hasn’t lost its spark.”
