Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad, known for his previous criticism of Babar Azam, surprised cricket fans with a rare show of support for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) star following Peshawar Zalmi’s exit from PSL 10.
Peshawar Zalmi’s campaign came to a disappointing end after their defeat against Lahore Qalandars in a do-or-die match held in Rawalpindi. This marks the first time in PSL history that Zalmi have failed to reach the playoffs, sparking widespread criticism aimed at their captain, Babar Azam.
Ahmed Shehzad Backs Babar Azam After PSL 10 Loss
In an unexpected turn, Ahmed Shehzad took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to defend Babar Azam, urging fans and analysts to stop holding him solely responsible for the team’s failures. Shehzad wrote:
“Yes, Babar Azam is out of form. Yes, his last 50 was slow. But why is all the pressure always on him? Cricket is a team game. What are the other 10 doing? He was taking risks today, which was the right approach. Where are the rest of the batters when it matters the most? Accountability can’t be selective.”
This statement from Shehzad quickly went viral, as fans were surprised by his supportive stance toward Babar — a player he has often critiqued in the past.
Peshawar Zalmi Crash Out Despite Babar’s Milestone
The crucial match was reduced to 13 overs due to bad weather conditions. Lahore Qalandars batted first and posted a strong total of 149/8, with Fakhar Zaman leading the charge with 60 runs off 36 balls.
Zalmi, in response, struggled to build momentum. Babar Azam, playing his 100th PSL match, was dismissed for just 16 runs. Despite a late attempt by Daniel Sams, who remained unbeaten on 26, Peshawar could only reach 123/8, falling short by 26 runs.
Babar Azam Reacts to Loss
After the match, Babar Azam highlighted key factors behind the defeat. He pointed out poor fielding and dropped catches as major issues, which allowed Lahore to post a competitive total. He also credited young players like Ali Raza and Maaz Sadaqat for their promising performances under pressure.
Fan Reactions and Media Buzz
While Babar continues to face criticism from some quarters for failing to perform in high-pressure games, Ahmed Shehzad’s unexpected support has shifted part of the conversation. Fans and cricket experts have praised Shehzad for promoting fairness and team accountability in assessing performances
 star following Peshawar Zalmi’s exit from PSL 10.){kind=link}