The long wait for Babar Azam is finally over. On Sunday, the former Pakistan captain struck his first T20 century in nearly two years during the PSL 2026 match in Karachi, helping Peshawar Zalmi post a big total against the Quetta Gladiators.
Key takeaways
- Babar Azam notched his first T20 century in almost two years during PSL 2026 in Karachi.
- His hundred came off the final ball of the innings, making it a 52-ball ton.
- The milestone was completed on a delivery from Jahandad Khan.
- It was Babar’s 12th T20 century and his first since February 2024, ending a 783-day gap.
- With 255/3, Peshawar Zalmi produced the third-highest team total in PSL history.
Babar’s Karachi century: timing, technique and the wait ends
Babar Azam’s knock at the National Stadium was a complete 20-over effort, as he carried his bat for the full duration and reached three figures on a 52-ball basis. The breakthrough moment arrived when the innings reached its last delivery, bowled by Jahandad Khan.
To get to the hundred, Babar required just two runs when he played an on-drive and sprinted for a risky second. He then slid in at full stretch as the throw went wide, allowing him to complete the century.
For Babar, it was his 12th career T20 hundred, and importantly his first in the format since February 2024. That meant the 783-day wait finally ended with the Karachi landmark. He also sits second on the overall all-time T20 century list, trailing only Chris Gayle, who has 22.
The innings also added another chapter to Babar’s PSL record. It was his third century in the league, and all three have been made for Peshawar Zalmi. Two of those have come against the Quetta Gladiators, including the previous one—a 65-ball 115 made in Rawalpindi during the 2023 season.
How the knock was built: pace, boundaries and match context
The 52-ball century was the second-fastest of Babar’s T20 career. His fastest still stands from when he faced South Africa in Centurion in 2021, scoring 122 off just 59 balls.
What stood out most about the Karachi innings was Babar’s running between the wickets. He struck six fours and four sixes, while the remaining 52 runs were produced through singles and doubles off 42 balls. The innings was also notably clean in terms of pressure moments, with only one dot ball—coming on the final delivery of the 14th over, when Alzarri Joseph bowled a bouncer.
Peshawar Zalmi set the tone with a PSL-record high
With Babar anchoring, Peshawar Zalmi built their total through a strong top and useful contributions lower down the order. Kusal Mendis played a key innings of 44 off 83 balls, and the momentum was sustained by impactful cameos from Mohammad Haris (16 off 6), Farhan Yousaf (19 off 8), and Aaron Hardie, who finished unbeaten on 26 off 10.
Those efforts powered Peshawar Zalmi to 255/3 in their 20 overs, a score that ranks as the third-highest team total in PSL history.
