Babar Azam, the Peshawar Zalmi skipper, faced questions about his finishing abilities compared to Virat Kohli after leading his team to a thrilling last-ball victory over the Hyderabad Kingsmen in the Pakistan Super League 2026. Despite scoring 43 runs off 37 balls during the chase, Babar was not at the crease at the end, sparking the comparison. Responding with frustration, Babar dismissed the comparison and advised the journalist to move on from such debates.
The exchange between Babar Azam and the journalist reignited the ongoing scrutiny over comparisons between top cricketers from different countries. Babar, known as Pakistan’s top batter, has received acclaim for his consistency but has faced criticism for his strike rate and finishing skills in T20 cricket. In contrast, Virat Kohli, who is now retired from Tests and T20 Internationals, is actively playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League.
Babar Azam has scored 82 runs in two matches this season at a strike rate of 126.15, with 10 boundaries and one six. On the other hand, Kohli has made an impressive start to the season, scoring 97 runs in two games, including an unbeaten 69 in a successful chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kohli, known for his expertise in run chases, has maintained a strike rate of 173.21 and aims to continue his form as Bengaluru defends their title.
The PSL match between Zalmi and Kingsmen was closely fought, with Hyderabad Kingsmen posting 145 runs after a shaky start at 34/4, led by Kusal Perera’s 58 runs. Despite a tight bowling effort that extended the match to the final over, Hyderabad fell short. Requiring 14 runs from the last six balls, Zalmi’s Iftikhar Ahmed played a crucial role in securing their second win of the season.
