PSL 2023: Babar Azam: Pakistan Super League 8th edition has kicked off in style on 13th February, with the opening game between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and runner-ups of the last edition Multan Sultan. Qalandars won the closely contested match by one run at Multan’s home stadium.
Pakistan star batter Babar Azam is leading Peshawar Zalmi’s squad in PSL 2023, and his on-field tussle with the Karachi Kings pacer has gone viral. Babar responded when asked about his clash with Mohammad Amir, he said that his aggression comes through the batting.
Pakistan all format skipper responded after Amir made an unusual statement about him-
“On the field it’s the game of bat and ball. And you always try to put your best foot forward. I try to only focus on my batting, not on other things that can divert my attention, because then, it affects me,”
“The more I simple I keep it, the more it’s good for me. I don’t think I reacted in any way that time, I kept it quite simple. You can show aggression, mine comes through batting,” said Pakistan’s top-order batter.
Moreover, in the match, the left-arm pacer registered figures of 0/42 in four overs, and frustrated with his bowling, Amir angrily threw the ball in the direction of Babar shortly after the right-handed batter flicked his delivery for a four.
“These kinds of matchups and player rivalries keep players on their toes. I personally like these sort of challenges because it keeps me focused. My job is to take wickets and win matches for my team, so for me, facing Babar or a tailender batting at number 10 will be the same,” said former Pakistani pacer.
Good start to my #Zalmi journey. ?
The Karachi crowd was electric as usual. Amazing atmosphere all around!⚡ pic.twitter.com/4KlXz7c7E4
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) February 14, 2023
While Zalmi is in the third position and the Kings are in the fourth place in the PSL 2023 points table so far. Meanwhile, the runner-ups of last season PSL in 2022, the Multan-based side is in the top spot with three wins and one loss out of four games they played. Peshawar Zalmi will face Islamabad United in the 12th match of PSL 2023 at Karachi on February 23.