Basit Ali highlights ‘no top bowling’ reason in Babar Azam’s century during PSL 2026

Babar Azam was in full criticism with a string of low scores in the shortest format. But he smashed a fine unbeaten century off just 52 balls with the help of six boundaries and four sixes at a strike rate of 192.31 while featuring for the Peshawar Zalmi against the Quetta Gladiators at the National Stadium in Karachi.

In the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026, the former captain of the national side has clubbed 401 runs in seven innings at an average of 100.25 to be the second leading run-getter of the event at a strike rate of 143.72 with two fifties and one century. 

Basit Ali gives new context to Babar’s PSL 2026 century

The former Pakistan player, Basit Ali, called the innings among the finest in PSL history, citing the quality of the attack Babar handled. But he also analysed the stance of not comparing the PSL with international cricket. 

“There is a world of difference between international cricket and PSL. What has happened to Pakistan cricket over the last six or seven years — that is the conversation. If Babar shows even fifty percent of this standard in international cricket, we will praise him.” Basit expressed in a show.

“The problem is our ICC event performances in 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 — where did we stand? You cannot mix PSL with that. This is not top bowling. These are not top teams. In my view, only Multan or Islamabad can give them a fight — and they already beat Multan in a one-sided match.” The former star addressed.

See Also: PCB stuns BCCI with Saudi Arabia expansion plan amid PSL 2026: Know full details

The veteran claimed that Kusal Mendis has also contributed to Babar’s century by helping him from the other end.

“In the last two or three years, there was no batter alongside him; the team was not built in a way that allowed him to play his own game, to take himself towards the modern-day style of batting. Mendis has made a big difference.” The 55-year-old informed.

Peshawar Zalmi continue unbeaten IPL 2026 campaign

Peshawar has already qualified for the second stage of the PSL, even with a couple of games to go. They are the only unbeaten side of the competition so far, with seven victories in eight clashes to be at the top of the points table, including the washed-out result against the Islamabad United.

Babar hopes to continue the excellence with the bat in contributing to the team's sucess in the performance. The PCB selectors can keep an eye on this performance to get him back in the national side when they play Australia at home a few weeks later. 

Zalmi’s next encounter will be against the Karachi Kings on April 22 before ending the group stage with the game against the Lahore Qalandars three days later. The final of the competition takes place on May 03 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.