showed glimpses of a return to form with a stunning show in the (PSL) 2026. Playing for Peshawar Zalmi, Babar has set the stage on fire with a brilliant performance.
Babar played a magnificent innings of 103 in 59 balls to pave the way for an emphatic Zalmi win over Islamabad United. This was the second hundred for Babar in the PSL 2026, and he jumped to the top of the list of most runs this season, with 588 runs in 10 games.
Before the PSL, Babar was going through a difficult phase, which saw him being dropped from T20Is. He was recalled for the T20 World Cup, but was dropped again following a poor show. This performance in PSL will get him back in reckoning.
Babar Azam Scripts History
Meanwhile, Babar Azam scripted history after the century against Islamabad United. This was his 13th T20 century and ninth as captain. Babar is only second to Chris Gayle in the list of most T20 centuries, who scored 22 centuries. Meanwhile, the nine centuries as captain now put him at the top of the list of most centuries by a captain in T20s. The record was held by Faf du Plessis, who scored eight centuries as captain.
Most Centuries As Captain
| Batsman | Centuries As Captain |
| Babar Azam | 9 |
| Faf Du Plessis | 8 |
| Michael Klinger | 7 |
| Virat Kohli | 5 |
| James Vince | 5 |
Peshawar Zalmi In Red Hot Form
Meanwhile, Babar’s form ensured that Zalmi ended the league stage as table toppers, and directly qualified for the final. Against Islamabad United, Babar’s knock helped the team post 221-7. Along with Babar, Mohammad Haris scored 35, but there was not much contribution from the other end. In a tall chase, Islamabad United could only post 151 and lost the game by 70 runs.
After the win, Babar said that he feels like getting back to his best, adding that he is trying to keep things simple and execute the game as per match situation. “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.” he said during post match.
Babar also lauded the team for the effort and that the focus now shifts on the final. Notably, Zalmi has been searching for their second PSL title. They won the maiden title in 2017.
“When you get a good start in the first six overs, it gives you a cushion to play your natural game and maintain the run rate. The way Haris plays and puts pressure on the opposition helps, and then I just try to play my role and carry that momentum forward. If we get 60-70 in the powerplay, the aim is to maintain that till the end, and even when one of us gets out, whether it’s me or Mendis, we try to continue that flow. The way Hardie and Sufiyan bowled was outstanding and that was the turning point of the match, and even Basit at the end bowled really well. Overall, it was a complete team effort in bowling and fielding, and full credit to the boys for executing the plans throughout the tournament. Now with the final coming up, we will enjoy this win but quickly shift our focus and look to execute our plans again.”