New Delhi: Babar Azam is rolling back the years with some sensational batting performances in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026. The seasoned Pakistan batter came into PSL 11 under immense pressure to re-prove his white-ball credentials after a dismal T20 World Cup 2026 outing and a subsequent exclusion from Pakistan’s ODI tour of Bangladesh.
Not long ago, Babar was the laughing stock of T20 cricket, facing constant criticism over his strike rate and consistency. He even left Australia’s Big Bash League midway earlier this year, amidst massive criticism over his batting form, but the former Pakistan captain has made a stunning statement with a record-breaking season in Pakistan’s premier T20 competition, proving yet again that form is temporary, but class is permanent.
Babar scored his second century of the season on Tuesday to power Peshawar Zalmi to their first final since 2021 after a dominant 70-run win over Islamabad United in the Qualifier match of the PSL playoffs in Karachi.
Babar Azam’s unstoppable PSL 2026: A masterclass in white-ball batting
Showcasing his vintage best, Babar scored 103 (59b) to help Zalmi post 221/7 on a tricky wicket, before bundling Islamabad United out for 151 for a massive win. Mixed with caution and aggression, Babar’s innings was studded with 12 fours and four sixes. He played the role of an anchor and an aggressor perfectly as Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis, and Aaron Hardie chipped in with important contributions at the other end.
Babar’s fourth PSL century took him to the joint spot in the list of the most centuries in PSL alongside Usman Khan.
In what can be a career-reviving season for the legendary batter, Babar’s aggregate of 588 runs, including two centuries and three half-centuries at a remarkable average of 84.00 and a decent strike rate of close to 150, is a clear signal of his return to his best form in white-ball cricket.
Record-Breaking dominance: Babar’s centuries and highest run tally in PSL
Babar’s tally of 588 is the highest ever in a single PSL season, level with Fakhar Zaman’s total in PSL 2022. With one match to go, Babar is all but certain to surpass that.
Another milestone Babar achieved across all of T20 cricket was becoming the player with the most T20 centuries as a captain. With his ninth century as a skipper, Babar surpassed Faf du Plessis’s tally of eight tons.
“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,” said Babar after the match-winning knock.
Meanwhile, Babar went level with Indian batting icon Virat Kohli and explosive batter Abhishek Sharma for the record of most T20 centuries in a single country. While Abhishek and Kohli have notched up eight tons apiece in India, Babar now has eight T20 centuries on Pakistan soil.
The final of the PSL 11 will be played on May 3.