By our correspondent
LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi’s Director of Cricket, Inzamam-ul-Haq, has stepped in to clarify the decision behind skipper Babar Azam’s unusual move to bat at No. 3 during the team’s emphatic six-wicket victory over Islamabad United in the 22nd match of PSL Season 10.
Addressing the media in Lahore after the game, Inzamam said that Babar, widely regarded as one of the finest batters in world cricket, adjusted his batting position in the interest of team strategy. The decision, he explained, was made to allow Australian power-hitter Mitchell Owen to open the innings, with a focus on capitalizing on the early overs with aggressive stroke-play.
“Babar played his innings according to the team’s needs,” Inzamam said, rejecting any notion that the change was due to personal preference or fatigue. The move paid off. Babar anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 53 off 49 balls, ensuring a steady chase as Zalmi hunted down Islamabad’s modest target of 144 in just 16.5 overs at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Inzamam also heaped praise on debutant Maaz Sadaqat, who dazzled with a confident 55 from 33 deliveries, despite being pushed down the order from his usual opening role. “He adapted well and showed maturity well beyond his years,” Inzamam remarked. When asked about concerns that travel could be taking a toll on players’ performance, Inzamam dismissed such claims, saying the schedule had not been rigorous enough to warrant concerns over fatigue.
The win gave Zalmi a strong boost in their campaign, with team dynamics and depth appearing to click at the right time. For Babar, who has often been at the centre of debates around strike rate and intent, his unflustered half-century and willingness to shift roles underscored a growing maturity in leadership. While critics may continue to scrutinize his tempo, the scoreboard and the points table both favored Zalmi on the night — and for now, the team-first approach seems to be working.
