Babar Azam reacts as Peshawar Zalmi accused of pressuring Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris to stay

Peshawar Zalmi reportedly attempted to pressure players like Babar Azam, Muhammad Haris, and Saim Ayub to get retained forcefully for the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) intervened to ensure that players, including Babar Azam, were not coerced into decisions about retention.

On Saturday, January 4, all six teams in the Pakistan Super League announced their retained players ahead of the 2025 season. Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Haris Rauf were among the retained Pakistan players.

Peshawar Zalmi Accused of Pressuring Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris to Stay

Pakistani sports journalist Qadir Khawaja has claimed that Peshawar Zalmi pressured Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris to stay with the team. The journalist also noted that Babar Azam has yet to confirm his retention with the franchise. The Pakistan Super League Draft is scheduled to be held next week.

The PCB began contacting players individually to confirm their consent, with a tweet from the PCB confirming that they were verifying player consent, particularly regarding Babar Azam's retention. Qadir Khawaja stated that both Haris and Ayub were retained despite wanting to leave Peshawar Zalmi.

🚨 PESHAWAR ZALMI THREATENED MANY PLAYERS TO GET RETAINED FORCEFULLY. 🚨 (Qadir Khawaja)

- Muhammad Haris and Saim Ayub wanted to leave PZ, but due to some reason Zalmi retained both.

- That's the reason why PCB is asking everyone about their consent. pic.twitter.com/mQS4prqIDr

— 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞 (@CallMeSheri1) January 4, 2025

🚨 @thePSLt20 deleted the tweet now. pic.twitter.com/VKHWmr2CW7

— 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞 (@CallMeSheri1) January 4, 2025

Babar Azam reacts to Peshawar Zalmi facing accusations

Babar seemingly refuted reports by reposting a story from Peshawar Zalmi on his official Instagram account. The post included a picture showcasing Babar and Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Arif Yaqoob, Mehran Mumtaz, Sufyan Moqim, and Ali Raza.

🚨 Babar Azam reposted the story of Peshawar Zalmi. pic.twitter.com/M2PR7bIzFP

— 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞 (@CallMeSheri1) January 4, 2025

For the 2025 PSL season, each team was allowed to retain a maximum of eight players. Three teams used the full quota, while the other three retained seven players each.

Islamabad United, three-time PSL champions, retained Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan in the platinum category, along with Colin Munro in the silver category. Lahore Qalandars kept Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Afridi in the platinum category. Mohammad Amir and Rilee Rossouw are set to play for Quetta Gladiators.

Full Pakistan Super League retentions list

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah (both Platinum), Imad Wasim (mentor) and Azam Khan (Diamond), Salman Ali Agha (Brand Ambassador) and Haider Ali (Both Gold, Colin Munro and Rumman Raees (both Silver)

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan and Usama Mir (both Platinum), David Willey (mentor), Iftikhar Ahmed (Brand Ambassador) and Usman Khan (all Diamond), Chris Jordan (Gold), Faisal Akram (Silver) Peshawar Zalmi (7): Babar Azam, Saim Ayub (both Platinum), Mohammad Haris (Diamond), Arif Yaqoob, Mehran Mumtaz and Sufyan Moqim (Brand Ambassador) (all silver), Ali Raza (Emerging)

Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir (mentor) and Rilee Rossouw (all Diamond), Akeal Hosein, Saud Shakeel (Brand Ambassador) and Mohammad Wasim Jnr (all Gold), Khawaja Muhammad Nafay and Usman Tariq (Silver)

Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali and James Vince (both Diamond), Muhammad Irfan Khan and Shan Masood (both Gold), Arafat Minhas (Brand Ambassador), Tim Seifert and Zahid Mehmood (all Silver)

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman (both Platinum), Haris Rauf (Brand Ambassador) and Sikandar Raza (both Diamond), Abdullah Shafique, Jahandad Khan and Zaman Khan (all Gold), David Wiese (Silver)

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