Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam is under increasing pressure to relinquish his captaincy during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 after a string of underwhelming performances.
Zalmi have lost both their opening games, and Babar’s struggles with the bat have only intensified the scrutiny.
Former Pakistan batter Sohaib Maqsood has urged Babar to consider stepping aside from leadership duties to regain his form.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Maqsood suggested that the burden of captaincy might be affecting Babar’s confidence and focus.
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He also questioned Babar’s leadership instincts, stating that while he is disciplined and hardworking, captaincy might not be his strongest trait.
Maqsood highlighted Babar’s form slump, noting that the star batter has scored just one run in two matches, including a duck.
He stressed that Zalmi need Babar’s batting more than his captaincy at this stage, especially as the team’s top order continues to falter.
Zalmi’s batting woes were on display in both fixtures.
They were dismissed for 136 against Quetta Gladiators after conceding 216, and then managed just 141 while chasing a target of 244 set by Islamabad United.
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Reflecting on Babar’s training sessions, Maqsood pointed out a visible dip in form, saying the batter—once nearly impossible to dismiss in practice—is now getting out several times per session.
He urged Babar to stop proving critics wrong and instead trust his natural game.
With over 3,500 runs in 92 PSL matches at an average of 44.36, Babar remains a vital asset for Zalmi.
However, the team faces a stiff challenge ahead, with their next game scheduled against Multan Sultans, led by Mohammad Rizwan, on April 19 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.