Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull expressed his dismay Thursday, March 8th, at Babar Azam’s strategic decision to slow down for his remarkable century in the match between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators in the 25th game of PSL 2023. The match occurred at Pindi Club Ground in Rawalpindi, where Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and chose to go first. The skipper, Babar, lit up the pitch with 115 off 65 balls, including 15 fours and three sixes, at an impressive strike rate of 176.92 before getting run out.
While Babar put on an incredible performance without a doubt, commentator Doull wasn’t satisfied with the cricketer’s slowdown as he neared his hundred. Doull stated his strong opinion on air, saying:
“The last little while, that’s all that has been happening rather than looking for boundaries when you’ve got so much firepower to come. Hundreds are great, stats are brilliant, but it still must be team first.”
Babar was on 86 off 49 balls after 14 overs but effectively reached his milestone of 100 runs just off 60 deliveries. When he was just one run away from a century, he defended a delivery from Naseem Shah, which evoked criticism from Doull, who questioned the batter’s motive, implying that he was too focused on personal gain in such a situation.
Jason Roy steals the show with his magnificent innings
Despite Babar’s sensational hundred, Peshawar Zalmi couldn’t keep up with Quetta Gladiators’ exceptional performance, who, led by Jason Roy’s match-winning 145* off 63 balls, chased the target in just 18.2 overs and with eight wickets to spare, won the thrilling PSL 2023 clash on Wednesday.
Roy’s masterclass of 20 fours and five sixes, scored at an impressive strike rate of 230.16, stunned Peshawar Zalmi. Mohammad Hafeez was also instrumental with an unstoppable 41* off 18 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes. The Roy-Hafeez duo formed an unbreakable 93-run partnership to help Quetta Gladiators secure a memorable victory.
