Ottis Gibson reveals plan to revive Babar Azam’s confidence ahead of PSL 2026

The Peshawar Zalmi head coach, Ottis Gibson, has come out strongly in support of Babar Azam as the star Pakistan batter is gearing up for the upcoming Pakistan Super League 2026 (PSL 2026). Babar Azam has been under massive pressure after Pakistan crashed out early in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Many slammed the former Pakistan captain for his slow strike rate and for not adopting the demand of the modern style. Later, Babar lost his place in Pakistan’s white-ball teams.

Ottis Gibson blames social media for Babar Azam’s struggles ahead of PSL 2026

However, ahead of the PSL 2026, Gibson stressed that Babar doesn’t need any special technical changes. He believes that the real problem is the huge pressure coming from outside, especially social media. Babar gets trolled daily for his strike rate and run-scoring, and Gibson feels this negativity is affecting his confidence before he even walks onto the field.

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Ottis Gibson said during an online interaction as quoted by the Pakistani media, “I don’t think he needs to focus on anything specific right now. What concerns me, though, is the pressure that comes from the outside — especially social media. He is constantly criticized for not scoring enough runs, for his strike rate, and many other things. If he carries all that negativity onto the field, it will naturally affect his game.”

Switch off the noise: Peshawar ZalmiCoach to Babar

The former West Indies coach wants Babar to shut out all the outside noise and focus only on practice and preparation. Gibson further noted, “If there’s one piece of advice I want to give him even before meeting him, it is this: switch off the noise.

Don’t let social media or outside opinions disturb your mindset. Focus on your practice, your preparation, and your role in the team. If you’re an opening batter, prepare with the new ball, work on partnerships, and understand match situations. He doesn’t need me to come and teach him how to bat—he already knows that.”

Gibson pushes Babar to bring back his fearless old self

Gibson’s crucial advice is for Babar to free his mind and try to reconnect with the fearless mindset he had when he first started playing. Now, the coach’s simple goal is to bring back the best version of Babar.

He signed off by saying, “What he needs is to free himself from the mental burden and reconnect with the mindset he had as a young player making his debut.

If he can rediscover that feeling, that freshness, that fearlessness, the exceptional cricketer inside him will emerge again. My job — along with Misbah and the entire support staff — is simply to help him bring that version of himself back.”

PZ Head Coach Ottis Gibson on Babar Azam. 🤯

"We just need to get Babar Azam to bat like he did as a young debutant and feel that passion again. I'm sure there's an outstanding cricketer in there." 🙌🔥pic.twitter.com/yfjbxofBz6

— Salman. (@TsMeSalman) March 24, 2026

Peshawar Zalmi Squad for PSL 2026:

Babar Azam (c), Abdul Samad, Mirza Tahir Baig, James Vince, Najibullah Zadran, Iftikhar Ahmed, Aamir Jamal, Aaron Hardie, Michael Bracewell, Khalid Usman, Umair Afridi, Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis, Sufiyan Muqeem, Ali Raza, Khurram Shahzad, Nahid Rana, Kashif Ali, Abdul Subhan, Tymal Mills.

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