RAWALPINDI: As Peshawar Zalmi grapple with the fallout of back-to-back strategic blunders, the spotlight has turned sharply towards team decisions that may have cost them crucial momentum in the ongoing PSL season.
The most talked-about among these was the decision to bowl first again in a do-or-die encounter against Lahore Qalandars at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. But Head Coach Mohammad Akram came forward in full defense of his skipper Babar Azam, insisting the call was not a solo captaincy misstep, but a collective one.
“The decision wasn’t made by Babar alone. The entire think-tank was involved, and we all stand by it. The responsibility is shared,” said Akram, addressing a swirl of criticism in aftermath of the defeat.
Despite a recent precedent -- when Zalmi chose to bowl first against Karachi Kings just a day prior with disappointing results -- the team doubled down on the same tactic against Qalandars, once again putting undue pressure on their batting lineup to chase under lights.
The risk did not pay off. Many cricket pundits believe Zalmi would have been in a stronger position had they opted to bat first, exploiting Rawalpindi’s typically high-scoring surface. Even Akram hinted at that possibility, yet maintained the decision was made with consensus and strategic intent.
In an impassioned defense of Babar Azam, Akram hailed his captain’s resurgence. “Babar is back to his vintage best. His numbers speak louder than any critique. Whether in the PSL or on the international stage, his class in white-ball cricket remains unmatched. He was the top scorer for us last season, and although he faced a brief dip in form, he’s come roaring back with a string of dazzling innings.”
Describing Babar as the “linchpin of the Zalmi arsenal,” Akram underlined the captain’s irreplaceable value to the squad, particularly in the face of mounting pressure and media scrutiny. Turning to squad depth, Akram reflected on the challenges Zalmi faced in the business end of PSL X. “We had arguably our best combination this season.
Every department was well covered. Unfortunately, after the mini-break, we lost key players -- some to national commitments, others to the IPL. That affected our momentum and limited our options in crucial games.”
When quizzed on the puzzling omission of Mehran Mumtaz, a promising left-arm spinner who had previously excelled at the Rawalpindi venue, Akram appeared less convincing. “With Saim Ayub and Maaz Sadaqat already providing spin-bowling options, fitting in another finger spinner was a tactical challenge, especially on this surface.”
Yet, fans and analysts alike continue to question the lack of opportunity given to a player of Mehran’s caliber, particularly when spin has proven to be a game-changing factor on similar pitches in the past. Akram also took a moment to extend heartfelt gratitude to Zalmi’s loyal fanbase, whose unwavering support has remained a constant.
“No matter where we play -- from Karachi to Lahore to Rawalpindi -- our fans show up in thousands. Their passion and loyalty give our players that extra push, and for that, we’re deeply thankful.”
He reserved special praise for Javed Afridi, Zalmi’s visionary owner, who has long been a champion of youth development and sports promotion across Pakistan. “Javed Afridi has been the heartbeat of this franchise. His commitment to creating opportunities for young talent has reshaped the cricketing landscape. We hope he continues to lead Zalmi and inspire the next generation.”
As the curtain begins to fall on another tumultuous PSL campaign for Zalmi, the team now finds itself at a crossroads-needing reflection, resilience, and perhaps, a recalibration of strategy to truly harness its potential in seasons to come.
BCCI denies reports of withdrawal from ACC tournaments
MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has dismissed their own media reports claiming that India has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup and Men’s Asia Cup, both scheduled for this year.
According to Indian media, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on Monday clarified that no such decision has been made and no formal communication has been sent to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) regarding withdrawal from any event.
“Since this morning, we have seen media reports claiming BCCI has opted out of the Asia Cup and the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup. These claims are baseless. The BCCI has neither discussed nor considered any such move, let alone communicated anything to the ACC,” he clarified.
He further stated that the board’s current priority remains the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) and the upcoming men’s and women’s series against England.
“Right now, our full focus is on the IPL and preparing for the England tour. There has been no internal discussion regarding ACC events,” he added. These speculations appeared amid tensions between India and Pakistan. Indian media reported this morning that the BCCI had decided to pull out of ACC events.
Some reports even claimed that the BCCI had communicated its unwillingness to participate in tournaments overseen by a Pakistani official—Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, who currently chairs the ACC.
A senior unnamed BCCI official was quoted in Indian media saying, “The Indian team cannot participate in a tournament administered by an ACC president who is a minister in the Pakistani government. That reflects the nation’s sentiment.”
It was also reported that the BCCI had verbally informed the ACC of its intent to withdraw from the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup scheduled in Sri Lanka and would reassess future involvement in ACC tournaments after further consultations with the Indian government.
However, BCCI Secretary rejected these claims, emphasising that no formal decision has been taken on India’s participation in any of the upcoming ACC events. “Any discussions or official decisions regarding ACC tournaments will be made in due course. Until then, speculation in the media should not be considered credible,” he concluded. It is pertinent to mention that India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012, with their contests restricted to ICC and ACC events. The last edition of the Asia Cup, held in 2023, was conducted under a hybrid model.