'He was forced to bat at 4': PSL coach slams Pakistan management as Babar Azam breaks Gayle, Kohli’s record

Former Pakistan cricketer Azhar Mahmood called out Pakistan’s management for not using Babar Azam to his full potential in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. He also called it “unfair” to single Babar Azam out over his strike rate in T20 cricket.

Speaking after a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match, Mahmood, the assistant and bowling coach of Peshawar Zalmi, questioned Babar’s batting position in the Pakistan lineup.

“The problem for Babar Azam was what was demanded from him. He was forced to bat at number four in the World Cup for his low strike rate,” Mahmood said.

“If I look at others, the best batter of Pakistan in the T20 World Cup was Sahibzada Farhan. He has a strike rate of around 135 in T20Is. Babar has 128, so there’s not much difference. We should admit that Pakistan doesn’t have 190-200 strike-rate players. Babar Azam should be utilised properly like we utilised him in this PSL. He sets the platform for the other batters to hit the ball,” he added.

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Interestingly, Babar Azam scored a sensational ton helping Peshawar Zalmi post 255 for 3 in 20 overs. He completed 12,000 runs in T20 cricket in just 338 innings. He went past Chris Gayle who reached the milestone in 344 innings and also Virat Kohli, who achieved the feat in 360 innings.

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Making his case stronger, Babar Azam has led Peshawar Zalmi brilliantly as they are yet to lose a single game in PSL 2026 season so far. Peshawar have won 7 games and one no result from 8 matches sitting at the top of the points table. Babar is also the second ranked in the leading run-scorers of the tournament, behind his teammate Kusal Mendis.

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