Overview

• Babar Azam rebuked a journalist during a PSL pre-tournament press conference when asked if he would only speak up after Pakistan cricket was 'finished.'
• A video of Peshawar Zalmi's team dinner, featuring Babar Azam and others consuming biryani and sugary drinks, drew criticism online for perceived lax fitness discipline.
• The Pakistan national team recently suffered a string of poor performances, including a whitewash in an ODI series against New Zealand and missing the ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals.
• Babar Azam, dropped from the T20I squad due to underperformance, aims to use the PSL as a platform to regain form and potentially re-enter national selection discussions.
• Peshawar Zalmi, captained by Babar Azam, begins their PSL campaign on April 12 against Quetta Gladiators, seeking to end their title drought in the tournament's 10th season.