PSL teams have made a huge impression in the T20 circuit ever since the league launched in 2016. It is one of the most prominent T20 leagues in the world, and the likes of Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi franchises had a significant role in helping take the league’s popularity beyond the Pakistani borders.
PSL Teams | History
The inaugural edition of the PSL saw five teams – Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators. Islamabad United won the first edition of PSL after beating Quetta Gladiators by six wickets in the final.
In PSL 2017, Multan Sultans made their PSL debut, extending the number of teams to six. Peshawar Zalmi crushed Quetta Gladiators by 58 runs to lift their maiden title. It was the first time the tournament was held in Pakistan.
Islamabad United added a second silverware to the name after winning the 2018 edition. Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators became third time lucky as they overcame Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL 2019 final.
Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, and Lahore Qalandars won their maiden PSL trophies in 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons, respectively. Babar Azam’s PSL team Peshawar Zalmi is the most consistent franchise in the PSL, qualifying for playoffs in all seven seasons and winning the 2017 edition.
Pakistan Super League – Islamabad United No. 1
Islamabad United has won the most PSL titles. The franchise based in the capital city of Pakistan won the 2016 and 2018 editions of the league. Misbah-ul-Haq guided Islamabad United to its maiden PSL title. Half-centuries from Brad Haddin and Dwayne Smith took the franchise home in the final.
In the third season of PSL, Jean-Paul Duminy captained Islamabad United to glory. Shadab Khan (3/25) and Luke Ronchi (52 off 26 balls) set up the victory against Peshawar Zalmi. The two-time champions, led by Shadab in PSL 2023, reached the playoffs in six of the seven PSL seasons.
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Pakistan Super League – Consistent Peshawar Zalmi
Peshawar Zalmi might have won the PSL only once, but it is the only team qualified for the playoffs in all PSL seasons so far. The franchise finished third in the table in the first-ever PSL season and bowed out in Eliminator 2. In the 2017 season, Zalmi won the title and finished runner-up in the subsequent two editions.
The Wahab Riaz-led Zalmi finished runners-up in the 2021 season, while it lost in Eliminator 1 in the fifth and seventh seasons. The franchise has clinched 43 wins in PSL – the most wins by a team in the league.
PSL Teams | Stats & Figures
Babar Azam is the leading run-scorer in PSL. The 28-year-old has scored 2413 runs at an average of 42.33 and holds the record for most fifties with 23 half-centuries in 66 innings. South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw, who will represent Multan Sultans in PSL 2023, has amassed the most runs among overseas players. He has made 1414 runs in 59 innings.
Colin Ingram has registered the highest score in PSL after his 59-ball 127* against Quetta Gladiators in the 2019 season. Akmal has hit the most sixes – 89 sixes – and the highest number of hundreds in PSL – 104, 107*, & 101. Mohammad Rizwan won the player of the tournament award last season. The likes of Colin Munro, Iftikhar Ahmed, Jason Roy, Imad Wasim, and Mohammad Nawaz have scored more than 500 runs.
Most Runs in PSL
Veteran Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz has taken the most wickets – 103 wickets in 76 innings. He is also the only bowler to reach 100 wickets in the league. With 53 wickets at an economy of 6.94, Imran Tahir leads the wickets chart among overseas players. Ravi Bopara, Faheem Ashraf, and Umar Gul have taken a six-wicket haul in PSL.
Bopara’s 4/16 against Quetta Gladiators in the 2016 season is the best bowling figures in an innings in PSL. Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali have picked up four wickets or more in an innings thrice. Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed 20 wickets in the 2022 season and topped the most wickets tally. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has 24 wickets in 17 outings.
Most Wickets in PSL