Babar Azam Left 'Tuk Tuk' Academy? Why PSL Fans Are Celebrating Rare Win

Babar Azam is going all guns blazing in the ongoing season of Pakistan Super League (PSL). Here's why Peshawar Zalmi's captain's fans are in celebratory mood.

Despite the no-audience rule at the stadiums, the pale interest among cricket groups, and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) being confined to just Lahore and Karachi, there’s plenty for the cricket loving nation to celebrate: Babar Azam is back in form, and his exploits in the ongoing T20 league in Pakistan have caught the attention of run-hungry fans and pundits alike.

Azam’s recent knock for Peshawar Zalmi, however, stunned many as the 31-year-old struck at a strike rate of 192.31, slamming an unbeaten 100 in just 52 balls. Batting against the Quetta Gladiators at National Stadium in Karachi, the Pakistani batter struck 6 fours and 4 sixes.

Are the painful days of being constantly scrutinised for his strike over?

Babar Azam Piles Up Runs In PSL 11

Azam slammed a glorious and unbeaten century against Quetta Gladiators, a milestone marked by a unique statistical feat as he faced just a single dot ball across his entire innings of 52 deliveries.

With the sublime ton came another record for Azam. The 31-year-old right-handed batter from Lahore became the fastest to touch 12,000 runs in T20 cricket. He did so in 338 innings. Meanwhile, T20 legend Chris Gayle took 344 innings to achieve the milestone. Indian great Virat Kohli took 360 innings to reach the landmark.

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At the time of writing, Azam has piled up 401 runs in the PSL, at an average of 100.25, while striking at 144. He has appeared in 7 innings. His batting exploits have helped his franchise, Peshawar Zalmi, race to the top of PSL rankings as the Peshawar side remains undefeated in the 2026 edition, registering seven wins out of eight matches, one contest being a rain-washout.

Babar Azam’s Form Matters To Fans

The online trolling directed at Azam over his T20 struggles quietened considerably, at least for now, silenced by a form resurgence that has made his critics think twice this PSL season.

However, there were trolls who wondered if returning to form during PSL meant any positive push for the celebrated cricketer’s struggling T20 career for his national side.

“If Babar Azam is scoring hundred in the PSL, then you imagine the standard of PSL, their bowlers and pitches. Next year we will see Babar Azam once again destroying Pakistan in the World Cup and that’s the ultimate truth and you guys know this (sic)," an X user quipped.

A Departure From Strike Rate Woes?

“Retire, Babar Azam," read a viral post on X as Pakistan were outperformed by England in a crucial encounter in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. A T20 veteran, Azam could only manage 25 from 24 at a paltry strike rate of 104.17 in this contest.

Pakistan suffered directly due to Azam’s continued lean performances, having had forgettable run in the marquee tournament, with their campaign cut short in the Super Eight stage itself. However, Azam was at the forefront of receiving brickbats from the irked fans who felt his time in the T20 format was over.

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Also Read: ‘Babar Azam Finished’: Pakistan Cricket Fans Want Their ‘King’ To Retire Immediately, Here’s Why

Azam’s deplorable run in the tournament only yielded 91 runs. The star batter and former Pakistan skipper averaged 22.75 with a worrying strike rate of 112.34. He was promptly dropped from the playing XI for Pakistan’s final Super 8 match played against Sri Lanka, a move that was shockingly celebrated on social media.

Babar Azam’s BBL 15 Stint That Inspired Countless Memes

Azam’s poor display at the highest level could somewhat be attributed to his infamous Big Bash League 15 (BBL15) stint just ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where he became the centre of attention but for all the wrong reasons.

Picked by the Sydney Sixers, the Pakistan batter concluded the tournament with 202 runs in 11 matches while striking at a criminal 103. That strike rate was the lowest for any batter who scored a minimum of 200 in the BBL history. His on-field conflict with Steve Smith over a denied single only invited more criticism.

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