BY Usman Khan
ISLAMABAD: Peshawar Zalmi and Pakistan cricket team’s captain Babar Azam replied humorously to a journalist’s question about his strike rate, asking him if he should play at the rate of 300.
The art and the artist 👨🏽🎨#SabSitarayHumaray l #HBLPSL8 l #PZvIU l @babarazam258 pic.twitter.com/Bl1trXcTkX
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 23, 2023
Speaking at a press conference in Karachi after their one-sided loss against Islamabad United, Babar said he was playing at a strike rate of 160 until his 50, but he had to play the anchor role when 6 wickets fell in quick succession.
Always on the driving seat, @babarazam258 🔥#SabSitarayHumaray l #HBLPSL8 l #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/wGnSfG7TBX
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 23, 2023
Zalmi skipper, who scored 75 runs off 58 balls in the match against Islamabad United, said that a player could not try to push his strike rate to 200 when wickets were falling, and instead, he has to try to take the cricket game deep.
When the journalist questioned his strike rate, Babar smiled and asked if he should “play with the strike rate of 300?”
On a question about the significance of innovating in T20 cricket, the right-hander said that in modern-day cricket, the importance of different shots is certain, and the players keep improving. He added that a player could improve his strike rate while playing to his strengths.
Inject this into our veins 😍😍 #SabSitarayHumaray l #HBLPSL8 l #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/RnVw156wBu
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 23, 2023
Babar Azam said that in the first 10 overs of the innings, his strike rate was around 160, but after the fall of wickets in the middle overs, he attempted to take the cricket game deeper.
The Peshawar Zalmi skipper admitted he was not with the latter part of his innings as he could not finish the innings in the desired manner.
Babar said the pitch was quite good, and the score could have been around 180 to 200, but Hasan Ali’s spell changed the match.
This game had @IsbUnited written all over it. A commanding display of cricket and we have our winner for tonight!#SabSitarayHumaray l #HBLPSL8 l #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/M1cNlMaXU6
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 23, 2023
On a question about young batters Saim Ayub and Muhammad Haris, Babar said he tries to teach players like Mohammad Haris and Saeem Ayub and share his experience with the youngsters. Regarding how his former team Karachi Kings’ performance can improve this season, Babar replied humorously, saying, “I am not their coach,” adding that he should be asked about their match with Islamabad United.
