Former New Zealand cricketer turned commentator, Simon Doull, expressed his displeasure with Peshawar Zalmi skipper, Babar Azam, bringing up to his first century against Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), questioning whether Babar slowed down for a personal milestone.
During match commentary, Doull criticized Babar for putting his personal milestones above the team's goal. He stated that Babar should have prioritized the team and focused on looking for boundaries instead of slowing down the run-rate.
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“Rather than putting the team first... the last little while, that's all that been happening. Rather than looking for boundaries, still, so much firepower to come. Hundreds are brilliant, stats are great, but it has to be team first,” Doull said during his commentary stint.
Simon Doull's censure of the Peshawar Zalmi was not an isolated incident, as he has been vocal about Pakistan's prominent players during the ongoing tournament.
Previously, the 53-year-old had advised Mohammad Rizwan to retire when he struggled in an inning. Despite Rizwan going on to score a century against Karachi Kings, Doull stood by his criticism later on.
The 28-year-old Babar and young Saim Ayub managed to put together a partnership of 162 runs for the first wicket in just 13.3 overs, with Saim Ayub scoring 74 off 34 deliveries and Rovman Powell contributing a brisk 35 off 18 deliveries to help the Zalmi reach a total of 240/2 in their innings.
Despite their strong batting performance, Quetta lost an early wicket when Martin Guptill was caught and bowled by Wahab Riaz for 21 off eight balls.
Jason Roy single-handedly led the way for the Gladiators, scoring a mammoth 65-ball 145 runs, including 20 fours and five massive sixes. Will Smeed (26) and Mohammad Hafeez (41*) also played their supporting roles in a resounding victory for the Mohammad Nawaz-led side.
The Gladiators' win elevated them to fifth place in the points table, having secured three victories in nine matches.