Salman Iqbal, the owner of Karachi Kings, has made a bold claim regarding the future of Pakistan cricket star Babar Azam, suggesting that once the player regains his form, he will surpass the likes of Virat Kohli and be compared to the cricketing greats such as Sir Viv Richards and Gary Sobers. Iqbal’s statement comes despite Babar’s ongoing struggles with form, as the top-order batter has been struggling both internationally and domestically. His current stint with Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 has been less than impressive, with the 28-year-old only managing one run from two matches, leaving him with a dismal average of 0.50. In his recent matches, Babar was dismissed by Mohammad Amir and Ben Dwarshuis, highlighting his ongoing issues with scoring.
Iqbal's unwavering confidence in Babar’s ability to bounce back suggests that he views the Pakistani cricketer as a potential global force once he recovers his touch. According to Iqbal, when Babar makes his comeback, he will be placed in the same conversation as legends like Richards and Sobers, and could surpass Kohli in stature. “When Babar Azam makes a comeback again, he will be a bigger player than any other player in the world, including Virat Kohli. He will be matched with names like Gary Sobers and Sir Viv Richards,” Iqbal said in an interview with ARY Podcast. The statement highlights the potential Iqbal sees in Babar as one of the future icons of world cricket, despite the challenging phase he is currently enduring.
Babar’s struggle has been evident for some time now. His last memorable century came during the 2023 Asia Cup when he scored 151 runs against Nepal. Since then, his batting form has been far from consistent, and he has not managed to score a century in any format. Babar’s performance during the 2023 ODI World Cup was also below expectations, with Pakistan failing to progress to the semifinals. After the World Cup exit, Babar stepped down as captain of the national team across all three formats. Although he made a brief return as the limited-overs captain ahead of the T20 World Cup, the team’s early exit from the competition led him to once again relinquish his leadership role. His form with the bat during that period, as well as his leadership tenure, became the subject of much criticism.
To make matters worse, Babar’s exclusion from Pakistan’s T20I squad for the recent five-match series against New Zealand raised further doubts about his place in the team. Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag added to the pressure, claiming that Babar didn’t deserve a spot in the T20I side. This exclusion was a significant blow to Babar, as his omission from the T20 team signified a setback in his cricketing career.
Adding to the tension around Babar's form is his role with Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL 2025. The team has had a difficult start to the season, with Zalmi losing both of their opening matches. Currently, they sit at the bottom of the PSL standings with a net run rate of -4.550, and the pressure is mounting on Babar to deliver with both the bat and the captaincy. As one of the most recognizable names in Pakistani cricket, the weight of expectations is always high for Babar, but with Zalmi's poor start to the season, his leadership abilities are being tested. His struggles with the bat, compounded by the team's lack of success, have raised questions about his ability to turn things around.
The match between Peshawar Zalmi and Mohammad Rizwan’s Multan Sultans on April 19, 2025, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is expected to be a crucial encounter. For Babar, this could be a defining moment in the 2025 PSL season. A strong performance here could help restore his confidence and that of the fans who have been waiting for a resurgence from the Pakistan captain. A loss, however, could further intensify the scrutiny around his future, both as a player and as a leader. This game is not just vital for Zalmi's campaign, but it will also be a significant test for Babar Azam, as he looks to end his run of poor performances and set the stage for a remarkable comeback.
In the grand scheme, Babar Azam's career trajectory is still filled with immense potential. He is one of the most talented and consistent batters Pakistan has ever produced, and his record in both ODIs and T20Is speaks for itself. However, like all cricketers, even the greats face tough periods, and Babar is currently navigating one of those challenging phases. The backing of figures like Salman Iqbal suggests that Babar’s supporters believe in his eventual return to form, and when he does, he will be back to rewriting the history books of international cricket.
