Peshawar Zalmi captain, Babar Azam, had a strong start to his innings as he smacked his former teammate, Mohammad Amir, for his signature cover drive in the first ball of his innings.

After Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub early, Babar was cautious against Imad Wasim in his first over. However, after Tom Kohler-Cadmore hit Imad for three sixes, Babar also took advantage and hammered a short pitched delivery from left-arm spinner through the covers.

Babar wasn’t done yet as he flicked Amir for another boundary, which frustrated the left-arm pacer and he threw the next ball towards Babar in desperation.

Babar brought up his fifty in 39 balls as he cut a short delivery from Imad and dispatched it for a boundary.

Babar upped the ante after reaching his fifty and smashed Andrew Tye for a six and and two fours in an over.

Zalmi captain was eventually caught on long off, on the bowling of Imran Tahir.

He smashed seven fours and a six in his 46-ball 68-run knock.

While speaking to a local channel recently, the left-arm pacer said that his job is to pick wickets, regardless of who the batsman is at the crease.

"These kinds of matchups and player rivalries, keep players on their toes. I personally like these sorts of challenges because it keeps me focused,” said Amir

"My job is to take wickets and win matches for my team, so for me, facing Babar or a tailender batting at number 10 will be the same," he added.