Babar Azam Aims for Comeback in PSL 2026 After ODI Exclusion

Babar Azam is on a mission to reclaim his place in the Pakistan cricket team after being dropped from the ODI squad. Leading Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 2026, he has shown impressive form, guiding his team to the top of the points table. Despite his struggles in recent international tournaments, Azam's performance in the PSL could be crucial for his comeback. With a history of outstanding achievements, he aims to regain his status as a key player for Pakistan cricket. Read on to learn more about his journey and current standing in the league.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 11, 2026, 18:52 IST

Babar Azam's Determined Comeback

After being left out of the Pakistan cricket team, Babar Azam is striving to reclaim his spot. The former captain is showcasing his leadership skills in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026, where he has successfully guided Peshawar Zalmi to the top of the points table. Zalmi recently overtook Multan Sultans by delivering a significant 76-run defeat to Lahore Qalandars in their latest match on Saturday (April 11). With four victories out of five matches, Peshawar leads the standings with 9 points and a commendable net run rate (NRR) of +3.103. Multan, now in second place, has accumulated 8 points with an NRR of +0.941 and is set to play their next match on Monday (April 13). Islamabad United follows in third place with 7 points from three wins, while Karachi Kings have also secured three victories, totaling six points. Rawalpindi has struggled, losing all five of their matches and sitting at the bottom of the table, while Hyderabad Kings have lost all four of their games, placing them ninth.

Babar Azam's ODI Exclusion Post T20 World Cup

Regarding Babar Azam, he was excluded from the ODI squad following the 2026 T20 World Cup, where he also lost his position in the playing XI during the tournament. The right-handed batsman was omitted for Pakistan's crucial match against Sri Lanka. Although Pakistan won that game, they failed to advance to the semi-finals. Azam scored only 91 runs across four innings and was previously dropped from the T20I team in 2025, missing the Asia Cup squad. He returned to the team before the ICC event but did not perform well. Babar has captained Pakistan in the T20 World Cups of 2021, 2022, and 2024. His white-ball career is currently at a crossroads, and he must deliver strong performances to secure his return. Once regarded as a future star for Pakistan, Babar has struggled with consistency, amassing 4,366 runs in 61 Tests and 6,501 runs in 140 ODIs. He is the highest run-scorer in T20I cricket with 4,596 runs, albeit with a strike rate of 128.02.