Playing his fourth innings for new team Peshawar Zalmi, the Pakistan all-format captain unleashed the classy shot 14 balls into his innings. With Faheem Ashraf the bowler, Babar danced down the wicket to a ball that was pitched just wide of off stump, launching it over the bowler’s head and over the straight boundary for six.

The shot released the shackles for Babar, who was on 18 at the time and he hit another boundary from the following delivery – this time a delicate shot fine of third man. A four off the final ball concluded a 17-run over from Faheem, who had previously been economical conceding just eight off his first.

While it went slightly pear-shaped from there on out for Zalmi as they lost five wickets for 26 runs in under five overs, Babar stayed firmly at the crease. He brought up another half-century for Zalmi off 33 balls, providing a rock for his side amongst the collapse going on at the other end.

Carrying his bat through the innings, Babar finished unbeaten on 75 off 58 balls as Zalmi posted 156-8 for Islamabad United to chase.

Zalmi have had a mixed run in their first three games of the tournament. After their opening win against Karachi Kings they were thrashed by early frontrunners Multan Sultans who registered a 56-run victory. They bounced back against Quetta Gladiators, picking up a four wicket win which saw them up to third in the group stage table.

Watch: Babar Azam plays classy lofted drive down the ground for six en route to second half-century in the 2023 PSL below

Always on the driving seat, @babarazam258 🔥#SabSitarayHumaray l #HBLPSL8 l #PZvIU pic.twitter.com/wGnSfG7TBX

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 23, 2023