I will play all three formats: Babar Azam shuts down speculation on his cricketing future
By Nawaz Gohar : The long shadow cast by skepticism, the persistent narrative questioning whether Babar Azam could lead a side to a major title, has finally dissipated.
At the iconic Gaddafi Stadium, amidst a sea of cheering fans, Babar Azam steered Peshawar Zalmi to a historic PSL 11 title. Yet, in the immediate aftermath, the triumph felt less like a conquest and more like a testament to the quiet strength of a man who has weathered immense pressure.
During the post-match press conference, the newly crowned champion did not indulge in grandstanding. Instead, he approached the victory with a profound sense of humility and gratitude, anchoring his success in faith and persistence.
“First of all, thanks to Allah that we achieved this trophy; we had been waiting for a long time,” Babar said, his voice steady and reflective. “I believe that what Allah has written for you, you will receive. Whether it comes late or early, one should always be satisfied and thankful.”
These words encapsulated the essence of the Zalmi journey: a narrative of patience, perseverance, and unshakable belief. For the management, players, and the loyal fanbase, the victory represented more than mere cricketing success—it was a vindication of their resilience in the face of persistent challenges.
For years, the critique of Babar’s captaincy has hovered over his career, a constant counterpoint to his brilliance as a batsman. On the night of the PSL 11 final, that critique was put to rest. However, Babar refused to be defiant. When asked about finally securing a final as captain, he offered only quiet conviction: “Today, AlhamduLillah, we won as a team.”
He was equally candid about his own performance. While he did not produce a match-defining innings with the bat, his willingness to address his own shortcomings highlighted his growth as a leader.
“I couldn’t deliver exactly what I expected from myself today, but these things happen,” he admitted. “Sometimes your plans don’t execute perfectly. When that happens, you have to take two steps back and analyze your mistakes to fix them.”
Babar shared a deeply personal look into the weeks preceding the tournament. Following a disappointing World Cup campaign, he retreated from the public eye, spending ten days in introspection.
“My family and close friends provided immense support and motivation,” he revealed. “I spoke with my coaches, worked on my technique, and focused on repeating my best habits. Life is like a roller coaster; you learn, you perform well, and sometimes you perform poorly. It’s part of the game.”
He specifically credited a mentor, Zaheer Bhai, for helping him navigate the turbulent times. “Whenever we met, he told me: ‘You have done this before. These tough times came to us and they will come to you, too. Don’t be afraid. Just keep yourself motivated and put more time into your training and practice.’”
When the conversation shifted to captaincy, Babar remained matter-of-fact. He dismissed the idea of a “magic formula,” attributing the success to better planning and the environment created by the coaching staff.
“As a captain, you try to assess the opponent and the conditions—planning which bowler to use against which batsman,” he explained. “You can provide confidence from the outside, but on the day, it depends on how the player responds.”
He lauded the coaching duo of Otis Gibson and Misbah-ul-Haq for granting him the autonomy to lead. “Otis and all the coaches told me: ‘Go and enjoy your game. Focus on your batting. You know how to score runs; we don’t need to tell you how to play.’ I executed that, and Allah gave me the performance.”
Babar was quick to divert praise to the match-defining partnership between Hadi and Abdul Samad, which steadied the ship after an early top-order collapse. “Losing four wickets early created pressure in the dugout,” Babar recalled. “But the way Hadi and Samad batted was critical. They played sensibly, didn’t take unnecessary chances, and built the partnership we needed.”
As the night wound down, the focus shifted to the future. With the PSL 11 trophy safely in hand, a journalist asked if Babar would reconsider his focus, perhaps stepping back from certain formats to prolong his career.
“Don’t worry, I will play all three formats,” he declared. “It’s not the player’s job to decide that; the player’s job is to play. I believe every player should play every format.”
He emphasized the developmental value of red-ball cricket, noting that the patience and technical discipline required for the longer format are what sustain a player’s performance in white-ball cricket.
As the team prepares to return to Peshawar to celebrate with the local fans, the mood is one of profound gratitude. For Babar, the journey continues, but for now, the shadow of doubt has been replaced by the golden shine of the PSL 11 trophy.
