Babar Azam has silenced his critics in spectacular fashion during PSL 2026, and with the final approaching on May 3, questions about his return to Pakistan’s national captaincy are growing louder, even as the star batter himself chooses to stay tight-lipped on the subject.
The Peshawar Zalmi skipper has been in breathtaking form this season. Amassing 588 runs in just 10 matches at an average of 84 and a strike rate of 146.26, he has shattered records along the way, becoming the first batter in PSL history to cross the 4,000-run mark and equalling Fakhar Zaman’s record for the most runs in a single PSL season.
His second century of the campaign, a blistering 103 off 59 balls against Islamabad United in the Qualifier, powered Zalmi to a 70-run victory and a place in the final for a record fifth time.
“I’m starting to feel like I’m getting back to my best. I’m trying to keep things simple and trust my skills,” Babar said at the post-match presentation. “The hard work I put in before the PSL is helping now, and I want to keep this consistency going.”
His turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable. Just months ago, Babar was dropped from Pakistan’s final T20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka amid a prolonged dip in form, and his future in international cricket was seriously questioned.
Now, with Zalmi in the final and Babar in red-hot form, calls for his return as Pakistan’s national captain have intensified on social media. For now, though, Babar appears content letting his bat do all the talking.
