Peshawar Zalmi head coach Ottis Gibson has poured all his support and backing behind star batter Babar Azam ahead of the 2026 Pakistan Super League Season 11.
His backing comes at a time when there has been increased scrutiny around Babar Azam in all circles of cricket.
Babar Azam is increasingly facing criticism after the premature exit of Pakistan from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Questions regarding his strike rate and adaptability in the modern T20 cricket have dominated discussions about him.
However, Gibson ignored technical concerns, instead pointing out the effects of constant criticism through social media and how it affected Babar’s confidence.
He emphasised that if negativity is repeated it can have a mental impact on a player even before he steps on the field.
Speaking during an online interaction, Gibson said Babar does not have to reinvent his game. Rather, he advised the batter to guard against any negative impact on his mindset and not to allow any outside noise and debates to influence him.
The coach’s main message was about preparing for and being clear in the role he has in the team. He believes that Babar should focus on developing partnerships and adapting to different match situations rather than care about public opinion.
Gibson also was keen to underline the how a player of Babar’s calibre does not need basic coaching. According to him the priority should be mental clarity, self-belief and keeping confidence under pressure.
Looking ahead, Gibson wants Babar to return to the fearlessness that characterised him in his early days of success. He went on to say that gaining back his freedom in his game will allow the top order batter to perform at his natural best.
Further adding this he said that team management with support of Misbah-ul-Haq will be there together for Babar. Their goal is to help him get back to peak form at PSL 11.
Also read: Babar Azam surprises fans with his cooking skills on Eid
