PSL 2020 Team of the Tournament

PSL 2020: Team of the Tournament

Qasim Mujtaba Naqvi·
Pakistan Super League (PSL)
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Let’s delve deeper into the statistics to determine who merits a spot in our line-up for the PSL 2020 Team of the Tournament…

For the sake of consistency, we’ll pick a maximum of four overseas players and one emerging player in the XI.

1. Babar Azam – Karachi Kings

345 runs in 9 innings @ 49.28 | 50s: 3 | SR: 123.6

The number one T20 batsman in the world showed exactly why he’s the best in the business. Babar finished the tournament as its leading run scorer, and guided his team to a repeat of their best-ever group stage finish (2nd). The Kings looked primed for a shot at their maiden PSL title, and Pakistan’s T20I captain was central to that.

2. Luke Ronchi (wicket-keeper) – Islamabad United

266 runs in 8 innings @ 38.00 | 50s: 2 | SR: 156.47 & 7 dismissals

The two-time champions may have finished at the very bottom, but Mr. Consistent wasn’t to be blamed. Starting the tournament in a blaze, Ronchi didn’t seem fazed by his dual role of mentor-cum-player. His highest score of 85* almost single-handedly won United a game, and he finished the group stage with the most dismissals of any wicket-keeper as well. For those reasons, he deserves to open with Babar and man the stumps in our PSL 2020 Team of the Tournament. Age is surely just a number for Luke.

3. Shan Masood (captain) – Multan Sultans

253 runs in 8 innings @ 31.62 | 50s: 1 | SR: 128.42

The Sultans’ Shandaar captain silenced his critics with his exploits in the tournament. Not only were Multan sitting comfortably at the top, Shan was the sixth highest run scorer in the competition – putting him behind only Babar Azam and Shadab Khan among local batsmen. Moreover, Shan was extremely consistent even if failed to score big. He led his side brilliantly with smart bowling changes and shrewd field settings. For his all-around effort, Shan is the captain of our XI.

4. Ben Dunk – Lahore Qalandars

266 runs in 7 innings @ 53.20 | 50s: 2 | SR: 186.01

If there’s one word to describe Bubble Dunk’s tournament, it’s explosive. Two scores of 93* (43) and 99* (40) make up more than 70% of his runs during PSL 2020, but those two innings alone make him a must-have in the Team of the Tournament. He generated enough momentum for Lahore Qalandars to reach the knockout stages for the first time, and grabbed a couple of dismissals along the way. He was also the only player to score more than 250 runs during the tournament (at an average of 50+). Hero.

5. Haider Ali (emerging) – Peshawar Zalmi

239 runs in 9 innings @ 29.87 | 50s: 1 | SR: 158.27

Arguably the find of the tournament, Haider had a remarkable introduction to the local population. “The next Babar Azam“, as Ian Bishop coined him, had a strike-rate (158.27) second only to Shadab Khan among Pakistani batsmen who scored more than 200 runs. Moreover, Haider showed he was flexible when it came to his place in the batting order – having come in and excelled in a number of different positions. Many are calling for his inclusion in the national set-up, which is testament to how good the 19 year-old has been.

6. Shoaib Malik – Peshawar Zalmi

239 runs in 7 innings @ 34.14 | 50s: 3 | SR: 134.26

The evergreen Shoaib Malik was in fine form for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa based franchise. Only Colin Munro, Shadab Khan, and Babar Azam managed to equal the three fifties Malik amassed in the tournament – and he had a pivotal role in steering Zalmi past the group stages. An easy pick given the balance he adds to the side with his ability to bowl some handy off-break too.

7. Shadab Khan – Islamabad United

263 runs in 8 innings @ 37.57 | 50s: 3 | SR: 159.39 & 8 wickets @ 29.37 | Economy: 8.24

Haider Ali may have been the find of the tournament, but Shadab Khan flaunting his batting prowess was the bigger surprise. Already a brilliant fielder and Pakistan’s leading white-ball spinner, Islamabad’s newly-appointed skipper finished behind only Babar Azam in terms of runs scored by a local batsman. His bowling may not have set the world alight, but Shadab finished the tournament with the most wickets of any Pakistani spinner – and third overall. Arguably the player of the tournament, Shadab’s captaincy was brilliant as well and he’ll feel hard done by given that his side finished last.

8. Samit Patel – Lahore Qalandars

137 runs in 6 innings @ 34.25 | 50s: 1 | SR: 155.68 & 9 wickets @ 20.44 | Economy: 8.00

Despite flying somewhat under the radar, Super Samit shone for the Qalandars. He might not be everyone’s first choice for their Team of the Tournament, but Samit had a strong PSL 2020 with the bat. Be it higher up the order like Shadab or bowling the new ball for the Qalandars, the British all-rounder made his mark. His spell of 4/5 in 4 overs against the Gladiators was breathtaking, and he had the second most wickets of any spinner in the tournament. He adds a lot of batting depth to this XI, and complements Shadab with his left-arm orthodox spin.

9. Mohammad Hasnain – Quetta Gladiators

15 wickets @ 19.13 | Economy: 8.96

Part of Pakistan’s new crop of fast bowlers, Hasnain was a bright light in an otherwise dim tournament for the defending champions. As predicted by many, the pacer did seem to struggle at times due to a lack of experience – but that didn’t stop him from becoming the highest wicket-taker in the tournament. Despite proving rather expensive on his way there, he was two scalps clear of any other bowler. A straightforward pick.

10. Shaheen Shah Afridi – Lahore Qalandars

13 wickets @ 18.92 | Economy: 7.02

Hasnain may have taken the most wickets, but Shaheen Afridi was by far the best bowler in this tournament. Not once did his aggregate economy go over 9 in the tournament, and the only time it did hit 9 was against the Kings in a 10-wicket loss. That illustrates how important Shaheen was to his side. When he failed to restrict runs or take wickets at the top, his side lost by an overwhelming margin. He’s proven his mettle as one of, if not the best bowler in Pakistan’s ranks – and will be a shoe-in for the T20 World Cup (if it goes ahead).

11. Sohail Tanvir – Multan Sultans

10 wickets @ 15.3 | Economy: 6.80

One look at those stats and you can understand why Sohail is in this side. Showing bags of experience and guile while bowling, Tanvir became only the third bowler in T20 history to cross 300 wickets – and did so while countering Mohammad Irfan’s inability to pick up early wickets for the Sultans. With the best average and economy of all bowlers who bowled more than twenty overs in the tournament, Sohail’s made a solid case for a recall to the national set up.

Chris Lynn (12th man) – Lahore Qalandars

284 runs in 8 innings @ 40.57 | 50s: 1 | 100s: 1 | SR: 179.74

Lynn misses out on the XI as only one of him or Dunk could fit into such a line-up. Much like Dunk, Lynn’s two highest scores of 59 and 113* made up 65% of his total runs. However, he also scored 11 or less on three occasions, which raised some questions over his consistency. When things did come off, there was no stopping him – and the Australian finished with the second highest tally of runs in the tournament. Ultimately, it came down to him and Ronchi for the third overseas spot and the latter’s consistency nudged him over the line.

Honorable Mentions

1. Imran Tahir – Multan Sultans

10 wickets @ 18.60 | Economy: 7.75

Misses out given his similarities to Shadab – but is worthy of nothing but praise for taking the most wickets of any spinner in the tournament.

2. Wahab Riaz – Peshawar Zalmi

11 wickets @ 23.15 | Economy: 8.01

Played only one game more than Sohail Tanvir – but was considerably more expensive despite the extra wicket. As the tournament’s third highest wicket-taker, Wahab may feel aggrieved at his absence from a stacked line-up.

3. Alex Hales – Karachi Kings

239 runs in 5 innings @ 59.75 | 50s: 2 | SR: 156.20

Arguably the best foreign pick in terms of consistency, Hales left the tournament early amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Even so, he batted exceptionally during his time on the pitch. With 49 scored in one game, Hales just didn’t play enough games at the end to be considered for the final XI.

With that, we bid adieu (for now) to another thrilling season of the Pakistan Super League. We hope to update this if and when the knockout stages of the tournament occur.

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Qasim Mujtaba Naqvi
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Student, procrastinator and mad sports fan with inclinations towards Tennis and WWE, while being crazy about Cricket and Manchester United, and Football, by extension. Currently pursuing a dream as we speak.

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