Babar Azam shut down a comparison between him and Virat Kohli following Peshawar Zalmi’s narrow win over Hyderabad Kingsmen in PSL 2026.
Babar Azam shuts down Kohli comparison following tight chase
The Zalmi captain scored a 37-ball 43 – a strike-rate of 116.21 – in a 146-run chase. He was dismissed in the 15th over, however, triggering a collapse, and it was Iftikhar Ahmed’s last-over heroics that helped them overhaul the target on the last ball of the match.
Babar was questioned about his failure to finish games regularly in the post-match press conference, and as the journalist touched upon his comparisons with Virat Kohli, the Pakistan batter cut in: "Finish it now. The reason you are asking this question, leave it. Move on."
He further explained that he tried to play according to the conditions and the match situation. “You have to plan your game, put on a partnership,” Babar added. “Sometimes you think it's an easy pitch but you're not able to execute there [in the middle]. Or you're timing shots but not hitting the gaps. You try, but don't get runs.
"But the previous information, whatever is in my mind, I try to remember that, remember my strengths and game plan and move forward. Improvement happens for everyone, even you too. You get to learn something new every day, try something new. I also do that. I am also human; I also want to do well. You will only be like that when you apply [yourself] every day, learn and try.”
Match 15, Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Peshawar Zalmi
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Stressing that his approach was result-oriented and he was constantly looking to evolve, Babar still concluded his answer by saying, "I have finished a few matches. It seems to you that I have not finished, but I have finished many matches."
Though Babar is so far Peshawar Zalmi’s top run-scorer in PSL 2026, his 82 runs in two games have come at a strike-rate of 126.15. In their tournament opener, he had scored 39 off 28 in a 216-run chase against Rawalpindiz. Peshawar’s second game was washed out and they are one of the only two unbeaten sides so far in the ongoing season.
Find the updated PSL 2026 points table after PZ vs HHK here.
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