Islamabad, 16 April 2025: Babar Azam is under growing pressure to step down as Peshawar Zalmi captain after poor form and consecutive losses in PSL 2025.
Sohaib Maqsood has publicly advised Babar to consider stepping aside as skipper, suggesting that the pressure of captaincy is negatively affecting his game.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Maqsood expressed concern over the recent form of Babar, as the star batter has managed just one run across two matches this season.
Maqsood noted that although the Lahore-born cricketer is hardworking, captaincy pressure seems to be affecting his focus and confidence.
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He added that Babar might be better off concentrating solely on his batting—a role Zalmi desperately need him to fulfil as their top order continues to falter.
In their opening fixture of the Pakistan Super League, Peshawar Zalmi were bowled out for just 136 after conceding a massive 216 to Quetta Gladiators.
Their next match saw another collapse, managing only 141 while chasing a daunting 244 set by Islamabad United at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Maqsood also spoke about the practice sessions of Babar Azam, claiming the batter was once nearly impossible to dismiss in the nets.
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Now, the 30-year-old stylish batter is being dismissed multiple times in a single session, indicating a drop in confidence.
He urged Babar to stop trying to prove his critics wrong and instead trust his natural game, which brought him success over the past eight years.
With over 3500 runs in 92 PSL matches at an average of 44.36 and two centuries to his name, Babar remains one of Pakistan’s finest T20 players.
Zalmi’s next challenge will be against a strong Multan Sultans side led by Mohammad Rizwan on April 19 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
