Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam fired back at a journalist after being compared to Virat Kohli, with the question centred on whether he truly has the “finishing” touch. The exchange came in the aftermath of Zalmi’s nail-biting Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 win over Hyderabad Kingsmen, a result sealed on the final ball of the chase.
After winning the toss, Zalmi chose to bowl first and managed to keep Hyderabad Kingsmen to 145. In reply, Babar did the heavy lifting at the top, anchoring the innings with a knock of 43 off 37 deliveries. Even though he departed before the chase reached its conclusion, the team managed to stay composed under pressure and squeeze out a dramatic win on the last delivery.
The storyline then shifted to the post-match press conference, where a Pakistani journalist put Babar on the spot about ongoing criticism of his ability to close out games. The reporter framed the discussion by drawing a direct line to India’s batting star Virat Kohli, asking whether such comparisons were reasonable given the doubts that have followed Babar in run chases.
“There are a lot of expectations from you… You carry the innings but don’t finish games. You’re often compared to Virat Kohli… Do you think this comparison is fair?” the journalist asked. Babar, though, cut across the question almost immediately and ended the comparison on the spot.
Responding in Urdu, Babar said: “Khatam kar dein aap. Jis wajah se aap sawal kar rahe hain, chhor dein aap… maine bahut matches finish kiye hai, aapko lagta nhii hai par kiye hai.” In essence, he urged the journalist to move on, insisting the criticism was based on a misunderstanding of his record in finishing games.
The Pakistan skipper’s comeback reflected mounting frustration with repeated references to Kohli whenever the topic turns to closing out chases. His international run-chase performances have, at times, invited scrutiny—particularly in situations where he has looked set but not always converted starts into wins. While he was once frequently praised for his steadiness and innings-building, the inability to wrap up certain high-pressure matches has gradually intensified the debate around his late-overs impact.
Babar’s leadership in the PSL clash underlined his value, especially in the pursuit of a tricky target. In fact, he steered Peshawar Zalmi to what was their highest-ever successful chase against Hyderabad Kingsmen on April 8, striking 43 off 37 balls and contributing close to 30% of the target. Still, his overall recent form has added fuel to the conversation: a worrying pattern emerged in late 2025 and early 2026, when he recorded four ducks in five T20I chases involving targets of 180-plus, further sharpening attention on whether he can consistently finish when it matters most.
Zalmi’s victory on the final ball will be remembered for the team’s nerve as much as for Babar’s response—one that turned a pointed question into a statement of intent.
