PSL 2020
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PSL 2020 Preview: The likeliest and unlikeliest stars

Qasim Mujtaba Naqvi·
Pakistan Super League (PSL)
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As PSL 2020 kicks off, we take a look at the likeliest star for each side and the under-the-radar picks that could prove sagacious…

Quetta Gladiators

Predicted Player of the Tournament: Jason Roy

One can’t possibly look past the first pick of the this year’s draft to be Quetta’s best player. Roy can be explosive at the top, with a strike-rate of over 140 in both international and domestic T20’s. He brings with him a wealth of worldwide experience and has been terrific for England as of late. Moreover, after his stints for Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars, Roy averages over 30 with a strike rate of 144. He can push an already strong Gladiators team to even greater heights.

Under-the-radar: Sohail Khan

Keep an eye out for the 35 year-old veteran, who Gladiators’ faithful are banking on to deliver. His experience has been deemed the antithesis to the inexperience of budding pacers Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain. A career average of 24 is complemented by a decent economy rate (just under 8) and a number of solid variations. Sohail can also surge up to 140 kph and could be an unexpectedly vital cog in this Quetta line-up.

Peshawar Zalmi

Predicted Player of the Tournament: Shoaib Malik

In a team that’s full of superstars, Shoaib Malik could prove to be the best of the lot. The former Pakistan captain has immense experience, especially when it comes to playing on home conditions. He’s in a rich vein of form since the Caribbean Premier League, and runs seem to be flowing off his bat. Amassing those runs has led to a recall to the national set-up, and that too with a T20 World Cup right around the corner. Shoaib will be desperate to make his mark in PSL 2020, and I think he’ll be able to.

Under-the-radar: Mohammad Mohsin

The lanky Peshawar-born all-rounder could be one to watch on dry Pakistani wickets this year. Not long ago, on similar tracks in the national T20 Cup, Mohsin spun his way into the Pakistan Emerging Team (PAK-E) and hasn’t looked back since. Mohsin has a bowling strike rate of 17 and an economy of under 8, which means he could provide balance to a Zalmi attack that has been heavily reliant on pace recently.

Islamabad United

Predicted Player of the Tournament: Asif Ali

With an average of 26, a strike rate of 150, and management that backs him to the moon, Asif Ali looks like he’s poised for a big year. The 28 year-old is utilised brilliantly by the ISLU management and has found some decent form. The middle order hitter has always done well on home soil, and could be the pick of a team that’s looking to win their third PSL title.

Under-the-radar: Saif Badar

Islamabad United pride themselves on being a youth-driven team and the former Pakistan U19 batsman could be one to watch out for this season. Badar was previously part of the PSL with the Qalandars and then the Sultans, but was never given an opportunity to shine. As the likes of Rizwan Hussain and Amad Butt come to the fore, Saif seems to be best placed for a breakout season. A handy leg break bowler who’s flexible in terms of his batting position, Saif is one to watch out for in the future. His recent domestic T20 performances have emphasised his ability, and he may just be another star to emerge from the capital-based franchise.

Multan Sultans

Predicted Player of the Tournament: Rilee Rossouw

A player the Gladiators described as “heartbreaking to let go“, Rossouw has become a very reliable PSL player over the last few seasons. He was one of the best batsmen in the recently-concluded Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and is well versed with both the local conditions and the quality of bowlers in the league. He could be a perfect pick for the data-based franchise from South Punjab.

Under-the-radar: Ali Shafiq

Ali Shafiq was retained by the Sultans as a Silver pick after injury cut his first PSL season short. He has a modest T20 record thus far, having picked up 9 wickets in 10 games at an average of 26 and economy of 7.3. Shafiq seemed to be a perfect fit last year until injury struck – and if he can gather some of the momentum he picked up back then, Andy Flower could end up delighted with a player who’s not the most data-driven choice.

Lahore Qalandars

Predicted Player of the Tournament: Haris Rauf

It couldn’t be anyone else, right? The streets-to-stardom story of Haris Rauf is heartening – and after all the media coverage, he’s emerging as a truly world-class bowling option. He has improved steadily, and now has the experience of playing in the Big Bash under his belt. With his steam-rolling pace and pinpoint accuracy, Haris has even earned himself an international cap for Pakistan. Everyone on home soil will be rooting for the quickie, who can make a case for the big time in PSL 2020.

Under-the-radar: Farzan Raja

With a quick flipper, a googly that’s tough to pick, and street-smart leg spin bowling, Farzan Raja has all the tools to make it big in this year’s PSL. A product of the much-heralded Player Development Program (PDP), he made a decent impact in the Abu Dhabi T20 Trophy a couple of years ago and has since honed his game for Cricket Tasmania in Australia. Highly rated in Australia, Farzan seems to have something special about him and could prove to be a great pick for the Qalandars.

Karachi Kings

Predicted Player of the Tournament: Iftikhar Ahmed

Left-field maybe, but Ifti is primed to make a big splash in PSL 2020. Now part of the national set-up, and a consistent domestic performer, Iftikhar has shown glimpses of the type of player Pakistan need in the shortest format. His performances in Australia illustrated that he has what it takes to succeed on the same pitches hosting the upcoming T20 World Cup, and earned a jump up to the Diamond category from Silver in the draft. Having been retained, Iftikhar will be crucial for Karachi in the middle order, and can provide the X factor for a side that now backs him fully.

Under-the-radar: Awais Zia

Many were baffled by the thought, but Awais Zia is another who the Kings have held onto this year. It’s inarguable that Zia has been an extremely consistent domestic performer recently. He was the highest run-getter in the recent National T20 Cup, and has always done well on home soil. He’s been tested outside Pakistan and has flattered to deceive – but a return to his comfort zone, where he seems to perennially score runs, could make him one to look out for when the tournament begins. He may very well be the surprise package in PSL 2020.

With only a few days to go until the tournament begins, the crowds are aching for the launch of the first PSL to be held completely in Pakistan. As the excitement builds, we hope the tournament produces top quality cricket as the teams battle it out for top spot!