Babar Azam Snaps at Reporter Over Virat Kohli Comparison After Peshawar Zalmi’s Narrow PSL Win
Lahore: Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam lost his cool at a reporter during a post-match press conference after being asked why he struggles to “finish matches” like Virat Kohli. The incident followed Peshawar Zalmi’s dramatic one-run win over the Hyderabad Kingsmen in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where Babar was the top scorer for his team with 43 runs off 37 balls.
Match Recap
Chasing a modest target of 146, Babar started confidently but failed to dominate the chase fully. The match was tense throughout, with the final outcome decided on the last delivery. While Babar helped keep the chase alive, his inability to accelerate or guide the innings to a smooth finish left some fans and analysts frustrated.
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The Reporter Question
At the post-match press conference, a reporter confronted Babar with the following question:
“Virat Kohli comes with the same shot of game as you but he finishes the match, which you lack. People compare him with you. What are your views on the comparison?”
Babar, clearly irritated, responded sharply:
“Finish these things. Keep these things to yourself. End the comparison and move on. It’s your misconception that I have not finished matches.”
The exchange drew immediate attention on social media, with fans debating whether Babar’s reaction was justified or an overreaction.
The Debate Around Babar’s Finishing Ability
Babar Azam has often faced criticism, particularly in limited-overs formats, for struggling to close out chases under pressure. While he is Pakistan’s premier batter and has been consistent over the years, analysts point to a few missed opportunities where his strike rate or shot selection in crunch situations has cost his team.
In this PSL season, Babar has played two matches, scoring 82 runs at a strike rate of 126.15. His boundary count—10 fours and just one six—has been considered underwhelming for a player expected to take charge in the middle order. Fans have also compared him with contemporaries like Virat Kohli, who has a reputation for finishing matches with composure under pressure.
Babar’s Career Context
Babar, 29, has been Pakistan’s captain across formats and is widely regarded as one of the most technically sound batters in modern cricket. He has scored consistently in Test and ODI formats, often rescuing his team from precarious positions. However, T20 cricket, especially in tournaments like the PSL, demands a slightly different approach—quick acceleration and finishing matches in high-pressure situations.
The criticism and comparisons with Kohli reflect this expectation, though many former players argue that Babar’s style is more calculated and that finishing games is often situational rather than a reflection of skill.
Looking Ahead
Despite the controversy, Babar remains central to Peshawar Zalmi’s plans this PSL season. Analysts expect him to focus on converting starts into big scores, taking his team across the line without relying on last-ball finishes. With the PSL crowd watching closely, every innings of Babar’s this season will come under scrutiny—not just for runs scored but for the manner in which he handles pressure.
