“I am not their coach that you are asking me” – Babar Azam gives a strong response to a reporter questioning him about Karachi Kings’ performances in PSL 2023

Pakistani reporters are notoriously tough on Babar Azam, whether he plays for Pakistan, Karachi Kings, or Peshawar Zalmi. Some of the questions are relevant to the story of the game or tournament, while others are posed only to make Azam seem tough.

The famous cricketer seems to have built up a resistance to the second kind of queries, which has resulted in more comical answers from him in recent years. Azam, who doesn’t object to or try to stop such journalists from asking questions, always manages to keep his cool and respond appropriately.

Azam’s strike rate has come under fire again after his team lost Match 12 of the Pakistan Super League 2023 last night in Karachi against Islamabad United. After his first wicket partnership of 76 runs off 42 balls with wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Haris (40), the rest of the team quickly fell apart.

Azam, who scored 36* (21) at a strike rate of 171.42 in that partnership, saw his team lose five wickets for 23 runs in less than five overs, resulting in a individual score (75* off 58 balls) and team score (156/8).

Babar Azam reacts to a reporter’s question

Before Thursday’s game at the National Stadium, Azam dispelled rumours that he was dissatisfied with himself by explaining in detail why he couldn’t afford to play the big shots with so many batters getting out at the other end. At a post-match press conference, Azam addressed a viral video in which he is seen tossing his bat in rage, saying, “Sir, bat toot gaya tha mera [My bat had broken, sir].”

During a game between Peshawar and Islamabad, another journalist questioned Azam about the performance of his old team, the Karachi Kings. Azam refrained from criticizing the Kings, with whom he had a tense relationship before his transfer last year. Azam, who is endowed with a humorous disposition, opted to seek aid from the same source.

“Main unka coach thodi hoon, aap mujhse pooch rahe hai. Abhi aaj ke match ki baat kare [I am not their coach that you are asking me. Let’s talk about tonight’s match (smiles)],” Azam told the concerned reporter.

Zalmi are currently in fourth place on the PSL 8 points standings after a few wins and losses. Conversely, Karachi is ranked behind PZ after winning only one of its first five PSL 2023 matches.