Babar Azam delivered one of the finest individual campaigns in Pakistan Super League history during PSL 2026, steering Peshawar Zalmi with the bat while wearing the captain's armband.
The right-hander topped the tournament's run-scoring charts with a staggering 588 runs, scoring 2 centuries and 3 fifties in the season.
Azam's consistency was unmatched. He equalled Fakhar Zaman's long-standing record for the most runs in a single PSL season (588), a mark that had stood since 2021/22. His highest score came in the Qualifier against Islamabad United on April 28, where he blasted 103 off just 59 balls (12 fours, 4 sixes) to power Zalmi into the final with a commanding 70-run victory. Player of the Match honours rightly went to the former Pakistan
skipper.
Babar Azam Key Performances in PSL 2026
Earlier in the season, Babar produced his fastest-ever PSL century, rediscovering the aggressive gears that had been missing in recent years.
His explosive knocks formed the backbone of Zalmi's batting, especially in a record-breaking 191-run opening stand with Kusal Mendis against Karachi Kings - the highest partnership in PSL history. The pair combined for 557 runs across six innings, including three century stands, providing Zalmi with a formidable platform throughout the campaign.
Beyond the numbers, Azam's impact was immense. He led the fan ratings and accumulated the highest batting impact points (465.82). His ability to anchor and accelerate - often rescuing the innings before launching into big overs-silenced critics and reaffirmed his status as one of T20 cricket's premier batsmen. With four PSL centuries to his name, he now jointly holds the record for most hundreds in the league's history.
In a tournament defined by power-hitting, Babar Azam proved that class and composure still reign supreme. His PSL 2026 masterclass will be remembered as a benchmark for captaincy and batting excellence.
Babar Azam PSL 2026 Match-by-Match Performance
vs Rawalpindiz - 39
vs Hyderabad Kingsmen - 43
vs Karachi Kings - 87*
vs Lahore Qalandars - 43
vs Multan Sultans - 18
vs Quetta Gladiators - 71*
vs Quetta Gladiators - 100*
vs Karachi Kings - 25
vs Lahore Qalandars - 59
vs Islamabad United - 103
vs Hyderabad Kingsmen (Final) - 0
Babar Azam PSL 2026 Stats
Matches: 11
Innings: 11
Runs: 588
Highest Score: 103
Average: 73.50
Strike Rate: 145.90
Hundreds: 2
Fifties: 3
Fours: 60
Sixes: 15
