Peshawar Zalmi’s Australian all-rounder aaron hardie said the squad is ready and balanced as they prepare for their match with Pindiz in Lahore, with training described as smooth and focused. He flagged depth across batting and bowling as the core reason for confidence and singled out captaincy and local bowling talent as key positives for the campaign. The comments come as the Pakistan Super League 11 is scheduled to run until May 3 (ET).
Aaron Hardie lauds Babar’s captaincy
Aaron Hardie, Peshawar Zalmi’s Australian all-rounder, praised the franchise captain Babar Azam and highlighted the captain’s role in steadying the side. “Babar has been awesome. He’s been very welcoming to all the overseas players, ” Hardie said, noting hands-on work in the nets and the value of learning from a seasoned performer. He added, “His captaincy speaks for itself; he’s very mature and knows a lot about the game, ” describing Babar as the calm head the team can rely on throughout the season.
Balance, local talent and empty stands
Hardie outlined what he sees as a balanced squad composition, pointing to strong top-order batting, power through the middle, and a mix of pace and spin in the bowling ranks. “Our team is balanced, and we will try to perform well, ” he said, summarizing preparation and the squad’s readiness. He also singled out the emerging local bowlers, saying he was “very impressed by the local players of Peshawar Zalmi” and specifically mentioning the young fast bowlers and spinners as talented contributors who underpin the franchise’s promising future.
What’s next for the campaign
Hardie framed the immediate focus as maintaining standards on the field regardless of external conditions. He acknowledged the absence of spectators as unfortunate but stressed professional consistency, noting that whether there is a crowd or not, players must deliver. With the tournament schedule running to May 3 (ET), the team will move from training into match play, testing the balance and leadership Hardie has described as their strength. The next match against Pindiz will be a first on-field measure of those claims, and aaron hardie said the squad will aim to back its preparation with performance when play begins.
