Watch: Babar Azam smashed Shoaib Akhtar for 18 runs in an over during a PSL exhibition match at Imran Khan Stadium in Peshawar on Saturday (August 30).
The match was aimed at raising funds for the victims of the recent floods in Pakistan. Fans were treated to a clash between present-day Pakistan stars and the heroes of yesteryear. On one side was the PSL franchise Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, while former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq captained the Legends XI team.
In one of the many interesting subplots of the match, Babar took on Akhtar, hitting him for 18 runs in a single over. Akhtar, 50, who last played for Pakistan in 2011, was pulled for a six off the second ball after the first one went way down the leg side. The next two balls were also leg-side looseners, which Babar hit for fours each. On the fifth ball, Shoaib created a chance as Babar skied a shot he played too early, but the ball fell safely short of the long-on fielder. The sixth delivery was another short ball which Babar duly dispatched for a boundary to take 18 runs off the over.
Babar’s 23-ball 41 helped Peshawar Zalmi score 144 in 14.4 overs. He also starred with the ball, picking up the wickets of Pakistan Test greats Azhar Ali and Younis Khan.
The Legends XI slumped to 52-6 in the eighth over. From there, Inzamam (46 not out) and Azhar Mahmood (34 not out) staged a recovery and got them close, but it wasn’t enough as they fell short by six runs.
Watch Babar Azam hit Shoaib Akhtar for 18 runs in an over:
Shoaib Akhtar bowling to Babar Azam | Exhibition Match | Zalmi vs Legends XI | Zalmi TV #BabarAzam #ShoaibAkhtar #ExhibitionMatch #Cricket #ZalmiTV pic.twitter.com/hFhBiKu06p
— Zalmi TV (@zalmitvlive) August 30, 2025
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
