‘It has to be team first’ – Simon Doull launches scathing attack on Babar Azam for having selfish approach during PSL game

Babar Azam. (Photo Source: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)

Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull criticised Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam during Pakistan Super League’s Match 25 between Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators on March 8. Doull, who was commentating during the game, slammed Babar for scoring at a slower rate as he approached his hundred after he opted to bat first.

The 53-year-old felt that Babar was putting more focus on his personal milestone rather than playing for his team. The Zalmi captain started his innings playing aggressively as he reached 83 off just 46 balls. However, he took 14 more balls to reach the triple-figure mark with his team looking for a good finish in the final overs having nine wickets in hand.

“The last little while, that is all that been happening rather than putting the team first. Rather than looking for boundaries. The is still so much firepower to come. Hundreds are brilliant and the stats are great. But it has to be team first,” Doull said on air.

Babar finished his innings on 115 off 65 balls smashing 15 fours and three sixes in his innings. He got good support from Saim Ayyub (74 off 34) and Rovman Powell (35 off 18) as Zalmi posted a massive 240/2 in their allotted 20 overs.

Earlier in January, Doull had made another controversial remark on Azam while criticising the pitches prepared for Test cricket in Pakistan during their series against New Zealand. He asked on air whether Babar wants such flat tracks to improve his stats?

“Where does that directive come from? Does that come from Babar who wants to bat on a road and improve his own stats? Or does it come from above him?,” Doull was heard saying on air.

Jason Roy’s blitzkrieg blew away Peshawar Zalmi

Coming back to the match, the Gladiators had an uphill task of chasing the humongous target, however, opener Jason Roy was in no mood to kneel down in front of the Zalmi bowlers as he smacked them all around the park. Roy brought the crowd in Rawalpindi to the edge of their seats as he played an unbelievable knock of 145* off 63 balls, smashing 20 fours and five sixes in his innings.

Martin Guptill (21 off 8) and Mohammad Hafeez (41 off 18) played useful cameos as the Gladiators chased down the target of 241 with ten balls to spare and eight wickets in hand.

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