Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam lost his cool at a reporter over Virat Kohli’s question during the post-match press conference following his team’s thrilling win over Hyderabad Kingsmen in the ongoing Pakistan Super League 2026 (PSL 2026) on April 8.
In fact, a reporter compared Babar Azam’s finishing ability to that of Indian superstar Virat Kohli. The situation immediately went out of control as the Pakistani star slapped the reporter with bold comments.
Peshawar Zalmi win thrilling match against Hyderabad Kingsmen, but Babar Azam faces familiar criticism
Earlier in the evening, Peshawar Zalmi chose to bowl first and restricted Hyderabad Kings to 145 runs thanks to four wickets from Iftikhar Ahmed and Sufiyan Mukeem. Still, it was not at all easy for Zalmi to chase the target but the skipper took charge of the innings scoring 43 runs in 37 balls.
Also read: B****d! Mukesh Kumar bids farewell to Sai Sudarshan in DC vs GT match
However, just when fans expected Babar to stay till the end and finish the match, he was out and left with the job in the middle order. Nevertheless, Zalmi managed to pull off a thrilling four-wicket win on the last ball against the Kingsmen in the PSL 2026 clash in Karachi.
Despite the win, attention once again turned to the recurring issue of Babar failing to finish games despite good starts. But this time the former Pakistan captain decided to respond brutally.
Babar Azam furious at reporter’s ‘Virat Kohli’ question!
Things became tense during the post-match press conference when a reporter directly questioned Babar’s finishing ability. He told that Babar Azam often starts well but is unable to last till the end and then compared him with Virat Kohli.
He said that the Indian batting icon completes the chase for his team most of the time. The reporter asked, “There are a lot of expectations from you… You take the innings forward but don’t finish the game. Virat Kohli comes up with the same shots of the game as you, but he finishes the match, which you don’t. You are often compared to Virat Kohli… Do you think this comparison is fair?”
ALSO READ: WATCH: David Miller cries like a baby in dressing room after choking in DC vs GT clash, Hemang Badani reacts
You should end it: Babar Azam stopped the reporter from speaking on Virat Kohli’s comment.
As soon as Kohli’s name came up, Babar’s expression immediately changed. He even interrupted the question midway. The Pakistani batsman hit back with strong and angry remarks, saying that he does not agree with the criticism as he has finished many matches in his career.
The Peshawar Zalmi captain said, “Khatm karde aap. Jis byaath aap question aap chor de use. Achcha, aage? (You should leave this question. Keep these things limited to yourself. End the comparison and move on.) It is your misunderstanding that I have not finished the matches.”
Babar defends himself before being criticized over his finishing ability
When asked if he is working on honing his finishing skills, Babar has said that “The main thing is the match scenario – what the team needs, what the run rate is, and the condition of the pitch – you have to plan your game accordingly. Sometimes, you may feel it is an easy pitch, but you can’t execute or the shots are not going through the gaps.”
“You keep trying but you don’t get runs. I try to focus on my strengths and game plan. Everyone has to improve; you keep learning something new every day. We are also human and try to get better. It takes time to get results,” the right-handed batsman said.
However, Babar didn’t forget the question and he concluded by saying, “Kaafi matches khatm karte hain. Aap lagta hai maine nahi kiya hai, lekin maine baat saaye matches khatm kiye hai. (You might think I don’t finish matches, but I have a lot of matches).”
When Babar Azam asked the journalist that he was being compared with Virat Kohli, he stopped him, but he did not finish the game like Kohli.
VC: PCB#Cricket | #Pakistan | #babarazam | #PSL11 | #PeshawarZalmi pic.twitter.com/EH9VVj8ca8
– Sports Shell (@khelshel) 8 April 2026
