Babar Azam reaffirms commitment to all three formats after PSL title win with Peshawar
Synopsis
Babar Azam's PSL resurgence—588 runs and a title with Peshawar Zalmi—has given him a platform to reset the narrative. His insistence on playing all three formats is both a statement of intent and a riposte to critics who questioned his viability. The Bangladesh Test series will be the real test of whether the PSL purple patch translates back to international cricket.
Key Takeaways
Babar Azam reaffirmed his commitment to play all three formats following Peshawar Zalmi's PSL 2026 title win.
The former Pakistan skipper scored 588 runs in 11 matches to finish as the tournament's leading run-scorer.
His last Test century came in December 2022 ; prior to the PSL, he had a sole T20I half-century this calendar year against Australia .
Babar credited family, friends, and coaching staff for supporting him through his recent lean spell.
Pakistan face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting Friday , offering Babar an immediate chance to rebuild his Test form.
Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has shut down speculation about his future across formats, reaffirming his commitment to play Test, ODI, and T20 cricket simultaneously. Speaking after Peshawar Zalmi's PSL 2026 title triumph, the 31-year-old batsman said a player's primary responsibility is to play, not to cherry-pick formats.
The PSL turnaround
Babar's emphatic stance comes on the back of a resurgent PSL campaign, where he scored two centuries across 11 matches to finish as the tournament's leading run-scorer with a record-equalling 588 runs. The title win with Peshawar marks a significant confidence boost after a lean spell in international cricket.
Why formats matter, according to Babar
"It's not for the player to decide which format to skip; a player's job is to play," Babar said in a post-match press conference. "Every player should play every form of cricket. Red-ball cricket gives you immense experience. It teaches you how to build an innings and gives you patience." He elaborated that Test cricket develops the mindset and technical foundation that transfer to white-ball formats, while T20 sharpens instinctive decision-making.
Recent form concerns
The 31-year-old's international record has been patchy. His last Test century came in December 2022, and prior to the PSL, his white-ball form was equally subdued — a sole half-century at T20I level against Australia in early February, just before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. He made little impact at the World Cup itself, fuelling debate about his multi-format viability.
The comeback narrative
Babar acknowledged his recent struggles but framed them as a natural part of an athlete's arc. "I was not up to my own expectations, but it is normal for a batter to struggle with his execution," he said. "You have to take a few steps back and assess where you are going wrong and correct it." He credited his family, close friends, and coaching staff for maintaining his motivation during the lean period.
What's next
Babar will get an immediate opportunity to extend his form when Pakistan face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series beginning on Friday. The series will be his first chance to rebuild his Test credentials after an 18-month gap since his last century in the format.
Point of View
A T20 World Cup cameo, and a T20I record that has flatlined. The Bangladesh series is not a victory lap; it is a reckoning. If he struggles there, the format-flexibility argument becomes a liability, not a virtue.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Babar Azam say about playing multiple formats?
Babar said a player's job is to play, not to decide which format to skip. He argued that every player should play all three formats because each one enhances the other—red-ball cricket develops patience and technique, which transfer to white-ball cricket, while T20 sharpens instinctive decision-making.
How did Babar perform in the PSL 2026?
Babar scored 588 runs in 11 matches to finish as the tournament's leading run-scorer, with two centuries. He led Peshawar Zalmi to the PSL 2026 title.
What is Babar's recent international record?
His last Test century came in December 2022. Prior to the PSL, his white-ball form was subdued—a sole T20I half-century against Australia in February 2024, and he made little impact at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.
When does Pakistan face Bangladesh?
Pakistan will face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series beginning on Friday. This will be Babar's first Test series since the PSL and his first chance to rebuild his Test form since December 2022.
