ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has offered fresh insight into the behind-the-scenes developments that led to Babar Azam’s high-profile departure from Karachi Kings ahead of the 2023 Pakistan Super League (PSL) season.
Speaking in a recent interview on a local YouTube platform, Latif disclosed that Karachi Kings had already decided to part ways with Babar prior to the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup.
He clarified that the decision was not solely based on Babar’s form or individual performances, but rather stemmed from the franchise’s internal strategic planning.
“Karachi Kings had already made the decision to release Babar Azam, but after Pakistan reached the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup under his leadership, they approached him again,” Latif explained. “However, Babar had already decided to move on.”
Salman Iqbal’s statement
Latif’s remarks add further context to a decision that has recently resurfaced in public discussions, following candid statements from Karachi Kings’ owner, Salman Iqbal.
In an earlier interview, Iqbal revealed that the split was influenced by a difference of opinion regarding Babar’s batting position.
“We wanted him to bat at number three,” Iqbal stated. “But he was unwilling to alter his preferred role, and that eventually led to his release.”
It is worth noting that the 30-year-old has consistently played as an opening batsman throughout his T20 career, both for Pakistan and in the PSL.
Of his 90 PSL innings, Babar has opened in 76, amassing 3,103 runs across 78 matches at an impressive average of 47.01 and a strike rate of 129.13. His tally includes 28 fifties and two centuries.
Babar as opener
However, Babar’s form as an opener has come under scrutiny during the current PSL 10 season.
He was dismissed for a duck in the opening game against Quetta Gladiators and scored just one run in the subsequent match against Islamabad United.
Despite his overall consistency over the years, Babar has recently been criticised for a noticeable dip in form.
Since scoring 151 against Nepal in August 2023, he has failed to reach triple figures in any format.
He was paired with Fakhar Zaman as an opener during the tri-nation ODI series involving New Zealand and South Africa but failed to deliver, registering scores of 10, 23, and 29.
Nonetheless, the management retained faith in Babar’s role as an opener for the recently concluded ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
His contribution, however, remained modest, scoring 64 against New Zealand and 23 against India during the group stage.
