Babar and Saim had raced to a 90-run opening stand when the mix-up occurred: Saim hit Akeal Hosein past the diving fielder at cover and exchanged ends, eager for a second run. Babar sent him back to safety, but an overthrow at the non-striker’s end opened up the opportunity for another run.

Babar called Saim this time, but it was probably not a prudent choice: Babar managed to run to the other end in time, but his partner, at the danger end, couldn’t beat the throw. He lay flat in disappointment as Khawaja Nafay’s throw was collected by Sarfaraz Ahmed, catching Saim short of his crease.

Saim departed for a 26-ball 42; Babar continued thereafter, finishing on 68 off 42, but Zalmi still fell short of their chase of 207, losing by 16 runs.

After the match, Babar apologised for the run-out, calling it his mistake and deeming it to be the turning point of the match.

“That (Saim Ayub) run-out, we were building a nice partnership, unfortunately that was my mistake, turned out to be a turning point,” he said.

Watch Saim Ayub’s run out here:

Indecision in the middle and Saim is short of his crease ❌#HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #QGvPZ pic.twitter.com/jF7pDqXMBi

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 18, 2024