PESHAWAR – Former Pakistan Test opener Ahmed Shehzad has spoken out in defense of Babar Azam after Peshawar Zalmi crashed out of the HBL PSL 10. Zalmi’s 26-run loss to Lahore Qalandars in a rain-shortened match on Sunday ended their hopes of reaching the playoffs.
In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Shehzad criticized those blaming Babar alone for Zalmi’s disappointing season. He emphasized that cricket is a team game and said the entire squad shares responsibility for the outcome—not just the captain.
Zalmi’s must-win game against Qalandars in Rawalpindi saw their target adjusted to 150 runs in 13 overs due to rain. Although the team started strong, they lost momentum in the final overs and managed only 123 for 8, falling short and missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
This marks a surprising end to one of the most consistent runs in PSL history. Peshawar Zalmi, champions in 2017 and finalists on four occasions, had always reached the knockout stage in previous seasons. However, in PSL 10, they finished with four wins, six losses, and a net run-rate of -0.293.
Meanwhile, the playoff race remains active. Karachi Kings and Islamabad United are set to face off later tonight in a decisive clash. Quetta Gladiators have already qualified and will meet the winner of that game in the first Qualifier on May 21 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
As fans and analysts debate the reasons behind Zalmi’s early exit, Ahmed Shehzad’s message serves as a reminder: cricket is not about individual blame, but collective effort—and Babar Azam deserves support, not criticism.