Best Performers of Each PSL Team from Last Year:
The PSL 7 is all set to kick-off from 27th January 2022. With less than 2 weeks to the event, we recall some of the best performers of last year’s PSL and see what they can do this time:
Table of Contents
Multan Sultans:
Multan Sultans were the champions of PSL 2021. They stunned everyone after a disappointing Pakistan-Leg, they went on to win the trophy in UAE. Their two top performing batsmen of Multan Sultans were Mohammad Rizwan and Sohaib Maqsood. While Rizwan did well in the Pakistan-Leg, Sohaib destroyed opponents in the UAE. Although Rizwan scored more runs than Sohaib Maqsood in the event, yet Sohaib was named Man of the Tournament and also was awarded as the Best Batsman of the tournament due to his impact-ful performances. Sohaib scored 428 runs in the event while Mohammad Rizwan scored 500 runs in the event.
With the ball, it was all Shahnawaz Dahani for Multan Sultans in last year’s PSL. It was the first time that an emerging bowler was the highest wicket-taker of the event. Dahani was awarded as the best bowler of the event and also the best emerging player of the event. He took 20 wickets at an average of just 17. With 13 wickets, Imran Tahir was the second best bowler of Multan Sultans last year.
All these 4 stars are still with the same team and Multan will hope that they continue from where they had left last year.
Peshawar Zalmi:
The veteran middle-order batsman, Shoaib Malik led the batting charts for Peshawar Zalmi. Malik scored 354 runs at an average of 35.40 and a strike rate of 149. He was the backbone of Zalmi’s batting lineup last year. With the ball, Peshawar’s skipper led from the front and took 18 wickets in the competition at an average of 23. Wahab ended the tournament as the second highest wicket taker. Both Wahab and Malik will also continue to represent the same side in PSL 7.
Karachi Kings:
Without any surprise, Karachi Kings’ batting charts were dominated by Babar Azam. Babar Azam was the highest run scorer, not only for Karachi but in the entire event. Babar’s crazy batting form allowed him to score 554 runs at an astonishing average of 69 and a strike rate of 132. He scored 7 half centuries last year. This time, Babar Azam has the additional responsibility of captaincy and it would be interesting to see if he can carry on with the same rhythm.
Despite of having some big names in their side, Young Mohammad Ilyas was the top wicket-taker for Karachi Kings last year. Ilyas played 5 games, yet he had the highest number of wickets for Karachi Kings. He took 8 wickets at an average of 21. Although Arshad Iqbal also picked 8 wickets for the kings last year but he featured in 9 games and had a poor bowling average as compared to Ilyas.
Both Ilyas and Babar will represent Karachi Kings in PSL 7 as well, while Arshad Iqbal is now a part of Peshawar Zalmi.
Islamabad United:
For Islamabad United, the Kiwi superstar, Colin Munro led the batting charts. Munro scored 285 runs in the event at an average of 57 and strike rate of 169. He smashed a couple of half centuries as well. With Munro, it was Usman Khawaja as well who delivered absolute carnage for Islamabad United. Khawaja scored 246 runs including his phenomenal century that made him the first captain to smash a hundred in PSL.
With 13 wickets in 10 games, Hasan Ali was the best bowler for Islamabad United. It was Hasan’s first ever season for Islamabad United and he delivered his best. Hasan and Colin Munro will represent Islamabad United this year as well, however Usman Khawaja will not participate in this year’s PSL.
Lahore Qalandars:
With 287 runs in 10 games, Fakhar Zaman continued his brilliance for Lahore Qalandars last year as well. Fakhar had batting average of 31 however his strike rate was the at the lower side, just 121. It was not the best of the seasons for Fakhar Zaman as he didn’t seem to find rhythm, yet he ended up as the best batsman of Lahore Qalandars.
Shaheen Shah Afridi was the best bowler of the Dama Dam Mast side with 16 wickets in 10 games. Shaheen also ended the tournament as the third highest wicket taker of the event. It was Shaheen’s brilliance last year that made him a contender for the Captaincy role, and now we will see him as a leader this year in PSL.
Quetta Gldiators:
The Gladiators had a disappointing run in PSL 6 with just 2 wins to their name. Their best batsman was skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed who scored 321 runs in 10 games. Sarfaraz had a batting average of 45 and a strike rate of 137 but he never received support from the other end, and hence the tournament ended in the worst possible way for the Gladiators.
With the ball, it was Mohammad Hasnain who picked 9 wickets in 9 games and was the best performer for Quetta Gladiators last year with the ball. Although his economy rate was above 8. Both Sarfaraz and Hasnain will continue to represent the Gladiators this year as well.
