PSL 2022 sits at its midway stage, and a lot of cricketing action is yet to come. Still we have seen a number of scintillating performances. Let’s take a look at the team of the tournament so far.
Fakhar Zaman – Lahore Qalandars
356 runs @ 71.2, HS: 106, SR: 173.65, 1 hundred, 3 fifties
Fakhar Zaman has been the top-scorer in PSL 2022 so far. Against Karachi Kings, his 106 single-handedly helped his side to victory, while his campaign has also contained two 70-plus scores so far.
Shan Masood – Multan Sultans
275 runs @ 55, HS: 88, SR: 151.09, 2 fifties
The starts provided by Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan have helped Multan Sultans to five wins from five in the PSL to date. His 83 against Lahore Qalandars and 88 against Quetta Gladiators were both performances for which Masood won Player of the match awards.
Colin Munro – Islamabad United
165 runs @ 82.5, HS: 72*, SR: 141.02, 2 fifties
In his first game of the season, Colin Munro put on a sparkling display with his 39-ball 72 against Gladiators propelling Islamabad United to 229. He backed that knock up with a 60 and 33 in the next two games.
Shadab Khan – Islamabad United
186 @ 46.5, HS: 91, SR: 182.35; 14 wickets @ 8.57, BBI 5-28
Islamabad United skipper Shadab Khan has arguably been the player of the tournament so far, excelling with bat and ball. His career-best 91 got Islamabad United closer than any other side so far this tournament to toppling Multan Sultans, while he has been the highest wicket taker at the tournament so far by a distance.
Tim David – Multan Sultans
163 runs @ 81.5, HS: 71, SR: 211.68, 2 fifties
The thing that stands out for Tim David is his strike-rate, a scorching 211.68, exactly what Multan Sultans have needed to capitalise on the consistent starts by their openers. Best of all was his 29-ball 71 which helped his side to a 20-run win over Islamabad United.
Khushdil Shah – Multan Sultans
55 runs @ 55, SR: 289.47; 9 wickets @ 9, BBI 4-35
Khushdil Shah pulled off a magical chase to down Lahore Qalandars early on in the tournament, and he has since contributed both with bat and ball for Multan Sultans, playing a key role in a number of wins for them.
Mohammad Rizwan – Multan Sultans
215 runs @ 53.75, HS: 82, SR: 138.7, 3 fifties
Though Mohammad Rizwan has played as an opener in the tournament, he is clearly the best keeper-batter in PSL with three half-centuries to his name, so he slots into the middle order here.
David Willey – Multan Sultans
7 wickets @ 16, BBI: 3-22, Econ: 7.72, SR: 12.4
David Willey has been the joint-most prolific fast bowler in the tournament so far, with figures of 3-38 and 3-22 in his last two games.
Umaid Asif – Karachi Kings
6 wickets @ 17.33, BBI: 3-36, Econ: 7.42, SR: 14
Karachi Kings might have not won a single game in the league but Umaid Asif has bowled with control while also picking up some big wickets.
Imran Tahir – Multan Sultans
10 wickets @ 13.2, BBI: 3-16, Econ: 6.6, SR: 12
The oldest player in our XI, Imran Tahir is also the best bowler of the most successful side in the tournament. He might be closing in on 43 years old but the veteran has shown that he still has enough skills to get the better of even the finest T20 batters in the world.
Shaheen Shah Afridi – Lahore Qalandars
7 wickets @ 22, BBI: 3-40, Econ: 7.7, SR: 17.1
While Pakistan’s best batter Babar Azam fails to make the cut, their finest fast bowler is in our PSL XI. Given his own high standards, Shaheen would hope that his returns improve further but he has already been decent with the new ball. He got 2-19 in Lahore Qalandars’ win over Peshawar Zalmi, while he took 1-24 against Islamabad United, a game which was won by Zaman Khan’s Malingaesque performance in the final over.
