Once hailed as the pride of Pakistan’s batting lineup, Babar Azam now finds himself at the center of intense debate as fans and experts scrutinize his performance in PSL 10. After scoring just one run across two matches for Peshawar Zalmi, the former Pakistan captain has come under fire — but prominent voices within the cricketing world are standing by him.
Hasan Ali: “The King Will Deliver”
Karachi Kings’ vice-captain Hasan Ali has come forward with unwavering support for Babar. In a post-match press conference, following Karachi Kings’ defeat to Lahore Qalandars, Hasan defended his long-time teammate.
“Babar is our best player, and he will bounce back,” said Hasan. “We made Babar the king, and now we’re tearing him down. If my words — ‘The King will deliver’ — offended anyone, I apologize. But my stance remains.”
Hasan also criticized the toxic nature of online criticism targeting players and their families, referencing past incidents during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand. He reiterated that performance — not social media — should define a player’s place in the team.
Umar Akmal: “You Cannot Talk Like This”
Appearing on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast, Umar Akmal, who is Babar’s cousin, was visibly upset when a guest suggested that Babar should no longer be in the national team.
“He was Pakistan’s captain for five years. If he’s out of form, should we disrespect him like this?” Akmal retorted passionately. “You cannot talk like this.”
Umar, who last played for Pakistan in 2019, emphasized that Babar’s current slump doesn’t erase his past achievements or his ability to rise again.
Salman Iqbal: “Babar Will Surpass Kohli”
In a separate podcast, Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal boldly backed Babar to reclaim greatness — even suggesting he could outshine cricketing legends.
“When Babar makes his comeback, he’ll be a bigger name than Virat Kohli,” Iqbal stated. “He’ll be mentioned alongside greats like Garry Sobers and Sir Viv Richards.”
Salman stressed that Babar’s “class” is permanent and that this rough patch is only temporary.
Where Does Babar Stand?
Despite immense support, Babar’s exclusion from Pakistan’s recent T20I series in New Zealand and the Test series against England signals that the selectors are watching closely. His form in the ongoing PSL was supposed to be his route back, but the rocky start with Zalmi hasn’t helped his case.
Still, the message from Pakistan’s cricketing community is clear: Babar Azam is down — but far from out.
Conclusion:
Babar Azam’s legacy is being tested, but his supporters remain confident that his return is only a matter of time. With influential figures backing him and fans hoping for his resurgence, all eyes will be on his next innings.
