PSL 2024: Simon Doull subtly reminds Babar Azam of his strike rate after ton versus Islamabad United

Simon Doull, a noted commentator and former international cricketer from New Zealand, heaped praise on Babar Azam following his spellbinding ton in the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The Peshawar Zalmi captain, who is in fine form, amassed an unbeaten 111 off just 63 deliveries against Islamabad United at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday, February 26. Batting with a strike rate of 176.19, the 30-year-old smashed 14 fours and 2 sixes during his knock, eventually emerging out to be adjudged as the Player of the Match.

Applause echoed from all sides for the former Pakistan captain, and Doull made sure to accentuate his commendable strike rate. For the uninitiated, the commentator had previously chastised Babar on air for slowing down as he approached his hundred during the previous edition of the PSL.

"Rather than putting the team first... the last little while, that's all that's been happening. Rather than looking for boundaries, still so much firepower to come. Hundreds are brilliant, stats are great, but it has to be team first," Doull had said in a video surfaced on social media.

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Watch the video:

Peshawar Zalmi beat Islamabad United by eight runs

After being put into bat, Peshawar Zalmi made a flying start with openers Saim Ayub and Babar Azam adding 77 for the opening wicket. Salman Ali Agha removed Ayub when he was on 38 , but Babar proceeded with his power-hitting, reaching his century in just 59 deliveries. His unbeaten 111-run knock enabled Peshawar to set a formidable target of 202. 

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Colin Munro and Azam Khan smashed respective half-centuries and forged a splendid 108-run partnership of over for Islamabad, but their dynamic efforts were insufficient to make their team cross the line. Leggie Arif Yakoob finished with a brilliant 5/27 as Peshawar restricted Islamabad to 193 and won the closely-fought game by eight runs. Peshawar are currently third in the points table with three victories from five matches, while Islamabad are fifth with a single win from four games.