Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam was in no mood to entertain doubts about his finishing ability after leading his side to a tense last-ball win over Hyderabad Kingsmen in Pakistan Super League 2026 on Wednesday. During the post-match media interaction, Babar Azam was asked to address a familiar narrative — comparisons with Virat Kohli and questions around his ability to close out games under pressure.

The Zalmi captain, however, quickly shut down the line of questioning. “Khatam kardein aap… aage badhein,” he responded, making it clear he wasn’t interested in revisiting the debate.

Expanding on his approach, Babar offered a more measured explanation of his view on finishing roles in modern T20 cricket. He stressed that match situations, pitch conditions, and required run rates dictate decision-making in the middle rather than any fixed template.

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“The main thing is understanding the match scenario — what the team needs at that moment. Sometimes conditions look easy, but execution becomes difficult. You stick to your strengths and game plan, and keep learning,” he said, highlighting the evolving nature of T20 batting.

🚨 BABAR RESPONDED TO A QUESTION ON KOHLI-BABAR COMPARISON 🚨

• Journalist – “Virat Kohli comes with the same shot of game as you but he finishes the match which you lack. People compare him with you what are your views on the comparison?”

• Babar Azam – “Let these things to… pic.twitter.com/A69fIV9urI

— Abdullah. (@Abdullahh_56) April 8, 2026

Before wrapping up, Babar Azam delivered a pointed reminder to critics: “I’ve finished plenty of matches. You may think I haven’t, but I have done it many times.”

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On the field, Zalmi held their nerve in a dramatic finish. Chasing a tricky target, Babar contributed a steady 43 off 37 balls, anchoring the innings before handing over to the finishers. With 14 required in the final over, Iftikhar Ahmed turned the game with a decisive boundary and a six off Hunain Shah, sealing a four-wicket win.

The victory marked Zalmi’s second of the season, pushing them to fifth on the points table, while Hyderabad Kingsmen continue to struggle at the bottom, still searching for their first win of the campaign.