Babar breaks silence on Pakistan captaincy speculation ahead of PSL final

Babar Azam has set his sights on lifting the Pakistan Super League trophy, saying every captain dreams of that moment but it will require his team to deliver strong performances on the field.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, the Peshawar Zalmi skipper said leadership starts with personal performance. “If the captain performs, it benefits the whole team,” he said, while brushing aside ongoing criticism of his form. “There’s always criticism — whether I perform or not. I’m not here to respond to that.”

He acknowledged that his recent performances had not fully met expectations — his own or those of fans — but stressed he has simplified his approach. “I’ve kept things simple and maintained a normal mindset,” he said, adding that playing on home ground brings encouragement rather than pressure. “I’ve heard the stadium will be packed — performing in that atmosphere is something you enjoy.”

Looking ahead to the final, Azam admitted pressure is inevitable but said the team is energized by fan support. “Finals always come with pressure, but the fans bring excitement. It’s good they’ve been allowed to attend — they’ll enjoy it too,” he noted. He added that the team’s combination and momentum are strong, though conditions in Lahore differ from those in Karachi. “We’ll stick to our plans. We have experienced players available.”

The Zalmi captain also highlighted emerging talent, naming Ali Raza and Farhan Yousaf as prospects for the future. “Pakistan has immense talent, but identifying it correctly is crucial,” he said. “Players should be developed according to formats — you can’t treat T20 talent the same as Test cricket. They should progress through Under-19 and A teams before reaching the national side so they can handle pressure.”

On his batting role, Azam said he remains flexible. “I play according to the role given to me. Every position has different demands. When you’re playing for the national team, expectations are even higher — you should bat wherever the team needs you.”

When asked about the possibility of being offered national capitancy again by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Azam downplayed the topic. “That’s for later. Right now, my focus is on tomorrow’s final. But if in future such a situation arises I will always do what is in the best interests of Pakistan cricket,” he said.