[EXCLUSIVE] "We had our best team in the last 10 years": Mohammad Akram, Director Peshawar Zalmi

[Ball Blazer]

In our latest exclusive interview conducted by Saj Sadiq, Mohammad Akram, former Pakistan pace bowler, ex-national team bowling coach, and current Director of Cricket at Peshawar Zalmi, opens up about Zalmi’s PSL 2025 struggles, team dynamics, and the future of Pakistan cricket. With decades of experience as a player and mentor, Akram delivers unfiltered insights into squad challenges, player development, and the pressures of franchise leadership.

Main topics covered in this interview:

Zalmi’s Strong Squad Struggled: Even with their best team in 10 years, Peshawar Zalmi couldn't reach the playoffs.

Missed Catches and Poor Form: Dropped catches and out-of-form foreign players made a big difference in their performance.

Babar’s Tough Time Mentally: Babar Azam faced mental health issues but is working hard to get back in form.

Ali Raza Shows Great Talent: Young fast bowler Ali Raza impressed many and could be Pakistan’s next big star.

Top Players Left Midway: Losing key players to the IPL and international matches hurt Zalmi’s chances.

Fans Waited 10 Years: Peshawar fans finally saw PSL matches in their city after waiting for a decade.

Don’t miss Akram’s candid reflections on accountability, nurturing talent, and the relentless standards of the PSL, hailed as "the most competitive league" by global stars.

Watch full interview here

 

[Rana]

A mentally healthy Babar is Nicholas Pooran it seems

 

[DeadlyVenom]

PSL 2
Peshawar Zalmi: Mohammad Hafeez, Dawid Malan, Kamran Akmal (wk), Eoin Morgan, Haris Sohail, Darren Sammy (capt), Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Asghar, Wahab Riaz, Chris Jordan, Hasan Ali



PSL 1

• Mohammad Hafeez
• Kamran Akmal †
• Shahid Yousaf
• Brad Hodge
• Jonny Bairstow
• Daren Sammy
• Shahid Afridi (c)
• Wahab Riaz
• Hasan Ali
• Mohammad Asghar
• Shaun Tait

Both these sides are comfortably better than Peshawar in this PSL

 

[BouncerGuy]

Nay. I dont think the current PZ was better than any of the PZ teams in the last few years. Bowling was pretty average and the overseas players they had were not that good tbh.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

PZ have been picking such rubbish sides since 2020 that even when they upgrade a little, it still looks rubbish.

 

[pakistani pride]

LOL this was the worst team in recent years.

 

[Rana]

Mitchell Owen
Alzari Joseph
Saim Ayub
Mohammad Harris

Only a rubbish captain can not make the play offs with these players at your disposal.

 

[cricfan432]

It was a good team, but saim was out of form, owen couldnt adjust to conditions, Abdul samad didnt get enough chances, Maaz sadaqat came too late.