Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has stirred up controversy by questioning Babar Azam’s approach towards his hundred during a PSL 2023 match between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators on Wednesday. As the opening batter approached his century, Doull criticized Azam’s deceleration, hinting that he was being selfish.
Despite Azam’s sensational knock of 115 runs off 65 balls, Peshawar Zalmi ended up losing the match. Opener Jason Roy’s unbeaten 145 off 63 balls helped Quetta Gladiators chase down the target of 241 in just 18.2 overs, with eight wickets in hand.
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Azam’s hundred was his first in the PSL and his eighth in T20 cricket, joining the elite company of Aaron Finch, David Warner, and Michael Klinger. However, only Chris Gayle, with 22 T20 tons, stands above these batters on the all-time list.
The match witnessed a nail-biting finish with Roy and Mohammad Hafeez leading the charge for Quetta Gladiators. Hafeez smashed 41* off only 18 balls, while Roy’s blazing knock featured 20 fours and five sixes, at a strike rate of 230.16. The duo’s unbeaten partnership of 93 for the third wicket sealed a remarkable win for the Gladiators.
Doull’s comments have sparked a debate about the balance between individual milestones and team goals, adding an intriguing sub-plot to the high-scoring encounter.