Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam scored his second century of the season to guide his team to their first Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in five years. After his 13th T20 ton to become leading run-scorer in the ongoing tournament, Babar announced to the world that he is starting to feel like getting back to his best.
“I’m starting to feel like I’m getting back to my best. I’m trying to keep things simple and trust my skills, and just execute my game according to the situation - what the pitch demands, how to handle different bowlers, and when to attack. The hard work I put in before the PSL is helping now, and while things weren’t the same earlier, they are starting to come back and I want to keep this consistency going,” Babar said in the post-match presentation.
Babar scored 103 runs from 59 deliveries against Islamabad United in Qualifier clash as crowd returned to National Stadium, Karachi. His knock and cameos from Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis and Aaron Hardie helped Zalmi post 221/7.
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Babar equals 2 all-time PSL records
Babar equalled the record for most centuries in PSL history. With his fourth ton, he shares the top spot with Hyderabad Kingsmen’s Usman Khan. He has also equalled the record for most runs in a PSL edition. Lahore Qalandars' Fakhar Zaman scored 588 runs from 13 innings at an average of 45.23 and strike rate of 152.72, including a century and seven fifties. In the ongoing season, Babar has scored 588 runs from 10 innings at an average of 84 and strike rate of 146.26, including two tons and three fifties. He needs just one run in the final to break the all-time record.
Babar also broke the all-time T20 record for most centuries as a captain. The previous record belonged to South Africa's Faf du Plessis. This was Babar's ninth T20 century as captain.
Hardie, Muqeem derail Islamabad United’s run chase
In the run chase, Islamabad United faltered. Despite a solid start from Sameer Minhas, they lost their way in the middle overs. Sufiyan Muqeem took two wickets whereas Aaron Hardie registered an economical three-fer as Islamabad United were bowled out for 151 in 18.4 overs. They lost the match by a huge margin of 70 runs.
Now, Islamabad United will face the winner of Eliminator 1 between Multan Sultans and Hyderabad Kingsmen. The final is scheduled to take place on May 3.