By Zainab Shafiq 
The longstanding mystery surrounding Babar Azam’s exit from Karachi Kings has finally been cleared up. Franchise owner Salman Iqbal opened up about the situation in a recent interview, shedding light on the internal conflict that led to the high-profile split before the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 season.
Iqbal revealed that a disagreement over Babar Azam’s batting position was the tipping point. According to him, the Karachi Kings’ management wanted Babar to bat at number three, but the star batter remained firm in his preference to open the innings. “We wanted him at number three, but he was not willing to change. We had no option but to let him go,” Iqbal stated.
Babar’s inclination to open is well-documented throughout his T20 career. In the PSL alone, he has opened the innings in 76 out of 90 games, compiling 3,103 runs at a remarkable average of 47.01, with a strike rate of 129.13. His record includes 28 half-centuries and two centuries, highlighting his prowess at the top.
However, recent performances suggest that his golden run as an opener may be stalling. During the ongoing tenth edition of the PSL, Babar struggled to find form, falling for a duck against Quetta Gladiators and scoring only one run against Islamabad United. His difficulties have also extended to the international stage.
Since his commanding 151-run knock against Nepal in August 2023, Babar has failed to score a century across formats. Even in the tri-nation ODI series featuring New Zealand and South Africa, he produced modest scores of 10, 23, and 29 while opening alongside Fakhar Zaman.
Despite these struggles, Pakistan’s management persisted with Babar as an opener during the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. Yet, results were underwhelming. His most notable contribution was a 64-run innings against New Zealand, with only 23 runs scored in a crucial group match against India.
The Babar Azam batting position debate continues to spark discussions across cricketing circles. As his form fluctuates, both fans and selectors are left wondering whether a change in approach could reignite the star batter’s brilliance.
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