Salman Iqbal, owner of Karachi Kings revealed that a dispute over Babar Azam’s batting position led to the decision.
Salman Iqbal, the owner of the Karachi Kings, has finally addressed why star batter Babar Azam was traded before the 2023 Pakistan Super League (PSL) season.
Iqbal revealed in a recent candid interview that the decision was made because of a dispute with Babar’s batting position.
He wasn’t prepared to switch roles, even though we wanted him to bat at number three. We were forced to release him because of this,” he said.
Both internationally and in franchise cricket, Babar has spent the majority of his T20 career in that position due to his strong affinity for opening the innings. He has opened 76 times in 90 PSL innings, amassing 3,103 runs at a remarkable average of 47.01 and a strike rate of 129.13. He has two hundred and twenty-eight fifties on his record.
But Babar’s recent performance as an opener has drawn attention. He scored just one run against Islamabad United after being removed for a duck in the first game of the current PSL 10 season against Quetta Gladiators.
His difficulties extend beyond the league. Babar hasn’t struck a century in any format since his 151-run thump against Nepal in August 2023. He failed to live up to expectations, scoring 10, 23, and 29 in the tri-nation ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand, when he opened with Fakhar Zaman.
The team management still supported him as an opener in the just finished ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, despite his dismal performance. With a top score of 64 against New Zealand and just 23 against India in the group stages, Babar was unable to have a significant influence there either.
FAQs
Why did Karachi Kings release Babar Azam before PSL 2023?
According to Salman Iqbal, the team’s owner, the release stemmed from a disagreement over Babar’s batting position. The franchise wanted him to bat at number three, but Babar insisted on opening the innings, leading to a conflict that couldn’t be resolved.
Why is Babar Azam so adamant about opening in T20s?
Babar has a long-standing preference for opening, a role in which he has seen consistent success. In the PSL, he has opened in 76 out of 90 innings, scoring over 3,100 runs at an impressive average of 47.01 and a strike rate of 129.13.
How has Babar Azam’s recent form as an opener affected perceptions?
Despite his strong career stats, Babar’s recent form has been underwhelming. In PSL 10, he scored a duck and one run in his first two matches. Across recent international games, he hasn’t scored a century since August 2023 and has delivered inconsistent performances.
Did Babar Azam perform well in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy?
Not particularly. While he managed a top score of 64 against New Zealand, he was largely ineffective, with 23 against India and an overall lack of impact, despite still being backed to open the innings.
Was the decision to release Babar Azam purely performance-based?
Not entirely. While recent performance dips played a role, the core issue was strategic—Karachi Kings wanted a different batting structure, but Babar’s unwillingness to adapt led to the decision to let him go.
