Despite facing heavy criticism over his recent form, Babar Azam has found support from a prominent voice in Pakistan cricket — Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal. As the former Pakistan captain endures a rough patch in both international cricket and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025, Iqbal believes a major comeback is just around the corner.
Babar’s Form Under Fire
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy was a forgettable outing for Babar Azam. His knock of 64 runs from 90 balls in a steep chase against New Zealand was seen as too slow to keep the scoreboard ticking. In the high-voltage clash against India, he managed just 23 off 26 balls, failing to make an impact in Pakistan’s six-wicket defeat. These performances contributed to Pakistan’s group-stage exit and further dented his credibility as a match-winner.
Following the Champions Trophy disappointment, Babar was axed from the T20I squad for the New Zealand tour. His struggles continued in PSL 2025 for Peshawar Zalmi, where he scored 0 and 1 in the opening two games, leading to questions about his place in the national side.
Salman Iqbal’s Bold Backing
In a recent appearance on the ARY podcast, Salman Iqbal backed Babar Azam to return stronger than ever — even comparing his potential comeback to the legendary status of global cricket icons.
“Mark my words, when Babar Azam makes a comeback again, he will be a bigger player than any other player in the world, including Virat Kohli,” said Iqbal.
“He will be matched with names like Garry Sobers and Sir Viv Richards. He has that class element. When someone has class… Class is permanent. You can’t change that. Style is always permanent. He will come back, and he will come back with a bang.”
Iqbal emphasized Babar’s natural flair and grace, reinforcing the famous cricket adage: “Form is temporary, class is permanent.”
Why Babar Left Karachi Kings
Salman Iqbal also shed light on the behind-the-scenes decisions that led to Babar Azam’s exit from Karachi Kings — the franchise he represented from 2017 to 2022 and helped lead to a PSL title in 2020.
“When we made our line-up heavily reliant on our openers, we requested Babar to bat at number three. But he wasn’t comfortable moving down the order. He was keen to open, where he felt most established,” Iqbal explained.
“The management decided to go for a complete overhaul. That’s why we let Babar, Imad Wasim, and Mohammad Amir go.”
What’s Next for Babar?
As Babar Azam battles through a challenging phase, the upcoming matches in PSL 2025 could be crucial for his redemption. With mounting pressure and scrutiny from fans, media, and selectors, all eyes will be on how the stylish right-hander responds.
Though his place in the national team is uncertain, support from influential cricket figures like Salman Iqbal suggests that not everyone is ready to write him off. If Babar can turn the tide, he may very well script one of the most memorable comebacks in modern cricket.
