Former New Zealand cricketer and now a popular broadcaster Simon Doull is widely known for his honest and hard-hitting opinions. He is often heard speaking with a bold attitude and is considered as a straightforward customer. Doull, who is currently doing commentary in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023, once again came up with a straight-from-the-shoulder view when he questioned Babar Azam’s batting tactics.
It all happened during the high-voltage contest between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. Batting first, the Babar-led Peshawar posted a massive total of 240/2 in 20 overs, with the skipper smashing a brilliant century (115 off 65 deliveries). The stylish batter hit 15 fours and three sixes during his super impressive knock.
Meanwhile, Doull, who was on commentary as the batter approached his hundred, was not pleased with the cricketer’s deceleration of runs as he got close to the three-figure mark. Notably, Babar had a quickfire start to his innings, but he slowed down upon reaching close to 100. The right-handed batter had scored 83 off 46 deliveries, but then he took 14 deliveries to reach his century.
The sudden drop in run-scoring didn’t impress Doull as he lashed out at Babar, stating the cricketer was putting his personal milestones above the team’s goal.
“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.
Here is the video:
Simon says what Simon seespic.twitter.com/i9wTHVRStY
— Zak (@Zakr1a) March 8, 2023
It was Babar’s eighth hundred in T20 cricket, and he joined the Australian trio of David Warner, Aaron Finch, and Michael Klinger as batters with eight T20 tons to their name. Only West Indies superstar Chris Gayle is above them with a whopping 22 centuries in the shortest format.
Most centuries in T20 cricket:
- 22 – Chris Gayle (455 innings)
- 8 – Michael Klinger (198 innings)
- 8 – Babar Azam (243 innings)
- 8 – David Warner (341 innings)
- 8 – Aaron Finch (376 innings)
