Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has said he personally was not satisfied with the one down batting position but he played there for Pakistan’s sake.

The Peshawar Zalmi skipper said this in a media after his team defeated Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) leading them to the top of the points table.

Brushing aside an impression of being under pressure, he said he took whatever decision it was in the country’s interest.

Ex-Green Shirts skipper has long batted as an opener in the international arena, nonetheless, after criticism over alleged sluggish strike rate and the national cricket board management’s decision, he started playing at number three position.

However, this PSL season, he has been remarkable with Saim Ayub as his opening pair as he scored five half-centuries in 10 matches.

Babar showered praise over the left-handed opening partner, saying he felt great opening a match with Ayub as they kept communicating about the match situation in the meantime.

“The way of my and Ayub’s playing is different as we strategise (a match),” he said.

The Zalmi skipper said Ayub had become a proper all-rounder and, in his form, his team had found an excellent bowling option.

He apprised the media persons that initially they faced trouble in making a combination but later they overcame the issue.

To a query, Babar said he did not pay heed to any criticism for he gave performance in the stadium, so there was no need for somebody to tell him anything. “I know my game and I try to enhance it every day,” he said.

To another query, he said he could not describe the honeyed feeling upon hearing people chanting “Babar, Babar”. “It feels great when people call my name,” he added. He tried to provide people happiness through his performance, he maintained.

Zalmi defeat Kings

Pehsawar Zalmi defeated Karachi Kings by two runs in the last-ball nail-biting thriller at the National Stadium Karachi on Monday night.

After posting a 148-run target, Peshawar restricted Karachi to 145/5. Babar’s team reached the playoffs with 13 points, whereas Shan Masood-led Karachi stayed at fifth position with eight points.