PSL 2023: Wisden’s Pakistan Super League Uncapped XI of the Tournament – the selections

Usman Khan – Multan Sultans

167 runs @ 41.75, HS: 120, SR: 198.80, 1 hundred, 0 fifties

Usman Khan made the fastest century in PSL history when he cracked a ton off 36 balls against Quetta Gladiators, reaching the milestone inside nine overs. While he wasn’t able to put up any other big scores, he did make crucial contributions in the Qualifier and the Final, eventually finishing the season with a strike rate of almost 200.

Mirza Baig – Lahore Qalandars

244 runs @ 24.40, HS: 54, SR: 127.74, 0 hundred, 1 fifties

Mirza Baig was the seventh-highest scorer among openers in PSL 2023, and the second-highest among uncapped openers. He played a big role in the knockout stages, anchoring the run chase in the second Eliminator with a 42-ball 54 and providing Lahore Qalandars a good start in the Final with an 18-ball 30.

Saim Ayub – Peshawar Zalmi

341 runs @ 28.41, HS: 74, SR: 165.53, 0 hundred, 5 fifties

Ayub was sensational with the bat at the top of the order for Peshawar this season. He scored 232 runs as an opener and 109 runs at No.3, displaying an ability to adapt. His performances have earned him a maiden call-up to the national squad.

Tayyab Tahir – Karachi Kings

137 runs @ 27.40, HS: 65, SR: 144.21, 0 hundred, 1 fifties

Tahir played just five matches this season but had a solid impact at No.3 for Karachi Kings. His 65 off 46 balls against Lahore Qalandars on his PSL debut showed what he is capable of. Like Ayub, he too has been rewarded with a national call-up for the Afghanistan T20Is.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore – Peshawar Zalmi

325 runs @ 32.50, HS: 92, SR: 160.09, 0 hundred, 3 fifties

Kohler-Cadmore is the only overseas player in this team. He was one of, if not the best middle-order batter on display in this edition of the PSL, scoring 271 runs at No.4 and 54 at No.5. He started the season off with a bang, scoring 92 off 50 balls against Karachi Kings, and followed it up with crucial contributions throughout the tournament.

Haseebullah Khan – Peshawar Zalmi (wk)

99 runs @ 19.80, HS: 50, SR 147.76, 0 hundred, 1 fifties

Haseebullah was impressive in his debut PSL season – though he wasn’t the most consistent, his runs came at a strike rate of almost 150. He was shuffled around in the order and didn’t play more than two innings at one particular spot, with his fifty coming at No.5 against Karachi Kings in his very first PSL innings. He makes our uncapped XI as the wicketkeeper.

Abbas Afridi – Multan Sultans

23 wickets @ 16.17, BBI: 5-47, ER: 9.45

Afridi was the highest wicket-taker of PSL 2023, taking 23 wickets in 11 innings. He bowled mostly at the death, picking 13 wickets in between overs 17-20, which is why his economy rate is a bit on the higher side. He also gave a glimpse of his striking ability with the bat in the Final, hitting a six and two fours and remaining not out on 17 off six balls.

Usama Mir – Multan Sultans

17 wickets @ 20.05, BBI: 3-22, ER: 7.93

With 17 wickets, Usama Mir finished as the second-highest wicket-taker among spinners in this season of the PSL, with especially impressive performances in the Qualifier and the Final. He has played three ODIs for Pakistan but qualifies for our Uncapped XI based on the fact that he is yet to play a T20I.

Zaman Khan – Lahore Qalandars

15 wickets @ 23.60, BBI: 2-17, ER: 8.53

The young right-arm pacer with a slingy action finished his second PSL season with 15 wickets, following an 18-wicket season last year. He was entrusted with the responsibility of defending 13 runs off the last over in the final, which he successfully did, handing Lahore Qalandars a one-run victory.

Ihsanullah – Multan Sultans

22 wickets @ 15.77, BBI: 5-12, ER: 7.59

Ihsanullah has been the talk of the town ever since he burst into the scene this season in the PSL. From international batters to tailenders – he made everyone hop, skip, and jump with his rapid pace, and ended the season as the second-highest wicket-taker.

Akif Javed – Karachi Kings

8 wickets @ 16.87, BBI: 4-28, ER: 8.70

A 22-year-old left-arm pacer, Akif Javed was impressive in whatever opportunities he got. He picked four wickets for 28 runs in his first match of the season, against the Lahore Qalandars, and would share likely the new ball with Zaman Khan in Wisden’s PSL 2023 Uncapped XI.

PSL 2023: Widsden’s Pakistan Super League Uncapped Team of the Tournament – the line-up

Usman Khan
Mirza Baig
Saim Ayub
Tayyab Tahir
Tom Kohler-Cadmore
Haseebullah (wk)
Abbas Afridi
Usama Mir
Zaman Khan
Ihsanullah
Akif Javed