Kamal Ghorui
Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam had a sharp response for a journalist after being compared to Virat Kohli over his ability to finish matches, following his team’s thrilling last-ball victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026.Zalmi opted to field first after winning the toss and restricted Hyderabad Kingsmen to a modest total of 145. During the chase, Babar anchored the innings with 43 off 37 balls but was dismissed before finishing the game. Despite his departure, Zalmi held their nerve to secure a dramatic win on the final ball.Journalist’s Question Sparks ReactionDuring the post-match press conference, a Pakistani journalist questioned Babar about criticism surrounding his finishing ability, drawing a comparison with India star Virat Kohli.“There are a lot of expectations from you… You carry the innings but don’t finish games. You’re often compared to Virat Kohli… Do you think this comparison is fair?” the journalist asked.Babar, however, was quick to shut down the comparison, interrupting the question midway.Babar’s response: ‘Khatam kar dein aap. Jis wajah se aap sawal kar rahe hain, chhor dein aap……. maine bahut matchesfinish kiye hai, aapko lagta nhii hai par kiye hai.’(Keep these things to yourself. End the comparison and move on. It’s your misconception that I have not finished matches) Babar Azam’s response reflects his growing frustration with repeated comparisons to Virat Kohli. The Pakistan skipper has faced criticism for his performances in run chases at the international level, where he has, at times, struggled to finish games despite getting starts. While he was once regularly compared to Kohli for his consistency and ability to anchor innings, his inability to close out some crucial matches has increasingly put him under the spotlight.Babar led Peshawar Zalmi to their highest-ever successful run chase against Hyderabad Kingsmen on April 8, contributing 43 off 37 balls, nearly 30% of the target. However, a concerning trend in late 2025 and early 2026 saw him register four ducks in five T20I chases of 180-plus targets, further fuelling the debate around his finishing ability.
