Babar Azam’s century against “Halwa bowling line up”? Ramiz Raja calls Azam’s blazing century “special” but labels Quetta attack “too easy”

KARACHI: Babar Azam’s stunning 52-ball century for Peshawar Zalmi against Quetta Gladiators has sparked a fresh debate after former captain Ramiz Raja praised the innings but questioned the quality of the opposition bowling.

Leading from the front, Babar produced one of the most aggressive knocks of his T20 career, combining elegance with controlled power to guide Zalmi to a commanding win. His innings was marked by fluent strokeplay, precise timing, and a noticeable shift in intent as he maintained a high strike rate throughout.

Speaking after the match, Ramiz Raja lauded Babar’s effort, calling it a “very good century” played in his natural rhythm. He highlighted how the Zalmi skipper appeared to challenge himself with every ball, showcasing a more fearless and proactive approach.

However, Ramiz’s remarks took a controversial turn when he described the Quetta Gladiators bowling attack as “halwa,” suggesting it lacked the threat required to truly test a batter of Babar’s caliber. Referring to bowlers like Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, and Alzarri Joseph, he implied that it was evident from early on that Babar would dominate.

The comment quickly ignited discussion among fans and analysts, with many debating whether the quality of bowling should impact how such an innings is judged. While some agreed that the attack failed to challenge Babar, others argued that scoring a century at such a strike rate in T20 cricket still demands exceptional skill and execution.

Despite the criticism, Ramiz made it clear that the innings played a crucial role in Peshawar Zalmi’s victory and reflected Babar’s return to top form.

Looking ahead, Ramiz shifted focus to Pakistan’s upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, urging Babar to carry this form into international cricket. He emphasized the need for consistency across formats, particularly in red-ball cricket, where Pakistan will rely heavily on their premier batter.

Babar’s innings may have come against a questioned bowling lineup, but it has undeniably reignited conversations around his form, intent, and expectations—especially with bigger challenges on the horizon.