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Last Update: March 09, 2023, 14:51 IST
Babar Azam in PSL (Twitter)
Simon Doull slams Babar Azam’s commentary for focusing more on his individual stats instead of focusing on his side’s needs
Babar Azam faced severe backlash for his low strike rate in his century against Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on March 8. Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull slammed Babar on-air while commentating on the said game. Focusing more on your individual stats rather than looking at the game from the perspective of the team. The Peshawar Zalmi skipper put up a commendable batting display against Quetta with a 65-ball 115. However, Dole felt that Babar slowed down his pace as he neared his century.
Babar Azam started his innings with a lot of aggression. The opener scored 83 runs in just 46 balls but took 14 more balls to cross the 100-run mark. Soon after realizing Babar’s mindset, Simon Doull criticized the Pakistan captain for thinking only of his personal milestone.
“For some time now, instead of putting the team first, that is all that has been happening. Instead of looking for boundaries. So much firepower is yet to come. The hundreds are spectacular and the figures are spectacular. But it has to make the team first,” Dole was heard saying.
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Heading into the match, buoyed by an impressive knock from Babar Azam, Peshawar Zalmi posted a mammoth score of 240 in 20 overs. The skipper was well assisted by Saim Ayub, contributing 74 runs to the scoreboard. However, all their efforts went in vain as Quetta Gladiators managed to bring down the mammoth target thanks to Jason Roy’s blazing knock.
The England opener smashed an unbeaten 145 off 63 balls, which was studded with 20 fours and 5 sixes. After the memorable knock, Roy currently holds the record for the highest individual score in the history of the Pakistan Super League. Their strong batting and Mohammad Hafeez’s flamboyant 41 off 18 balls helped the Gladiators win the match by 8 wickets.
With the commanding win, Mohammad Nawaz-led Quetta Gladiators have climbed a rung up the PSL standings. They are at the fifth position with 6 points from 9 matches. On the other hand, Peshawar Zalmi is fourth in the table with 8 points from as many matches.
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