The eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has come to a close with the Lahore Qalandars defeating Multan Sultans for a second consecutive time in the final. Here is Wisden’s PSL 2023 Team of the Tournament, an XI made up of the best performers from across the competition.
PSL 2022: Wisden’s Pakistan Super League Team of the Tournament – the selections
Babar Azam – Peshawar Zalmi
522 runs @ 52.20, HS: 115, SR: 145.40, 1 hundred, 5 fifties
Babar Azam was the highest scorer in this season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He registered 40+ scores in seven out of 11 innings, which also included a 65 ball 115 in the record-breaking game against Quetta Gladiators.
Mohammad Haris – Peshawar Zalmi
350 runs @ 31.81, HS: 85, SR: 186.17, 0 hundred, 2 fifties
The young Mohammad Haris had a big impact at the top of the order for Peshawar Zalmi this season, scoring 350 runs at a strike rate of 186.17. No one scored more runs than him at a quicker pace in the tournament. He opened in seven out of 11 innings and played the remaining four at No.3 and No.4. He makes the perfect foil to Babar who can afford to take some time with Haris being there to take on the bowling from ball one.
Rilee Rossouw – Multan Sultans
453 runs @ 45.30, HS: 121, SR: 171.59, 1 hundred, 3 fifties
Rilee Rossouw was a star at No.3 for the Sultans. He scored what was at that point the fastest PSL century off just 41 balls against Peshawar and took his team to the highest successful run chase in PSL history. No one scored more runs than him in this position in the tournament.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore – Peshawar Zalmi
325 runs @ 32.50, HS: 92, SR: 160.09, 0 hundred, 3 fifties
Kohler-Cadmore was eighth on the list of highest scorers in PSL 2023 and the highest scorer at No.4, In fact, the next highest scorer at No.4 in the tournament scored a whole 73 runs lesser than Kohler-Cadmore. He started the season on a high, scoring 92 off 50 balls against Karachi Kings, and then had three single-digit scores. But he picked himself up nicely midway through the season and delivered consistent performances with the bat.
Azam Khan – Islamabad United
282 runs @ 40.28, HS: 97, SR: 161.14, 0 hundred, 2 fifties
Azam Khan had a brilliant season with the bat, scoring 282 runs at a strike rate of 161.14. He regularly came in at No.5 and 6 and played important knocks, with the highlight being a 42-ball 97 after coming in at 43-3 against the Quetta Gladiators. He marginally pips Mohammad Rizwan as the wicketkeeper in our Team of the Tournament due to his quicker rate of scoring and the fact that he bats in the middle order, opening up a spot for the impressive Mohammad Haris at the top.
Imad Wasim – Karachi Kings
404 runs @ 134.66, HS: 92*, SR: 170.46; 9 wickets @ 28.2, BBI: 3-16, Econ: 7.94
Imad Wasim had a breakthrough season with the bat, scoring 404 runs at a humongous average of 134.66. He was dismissed only thrice in the 10 innings where he batted. His previous highest aggregate in a season of PSL was 154 runs in PSL 2020. Add 9 wickets to go with the 400+ runs and he becomes a certainty at No.6 in the Team of the Tournament.
Sikandar Raza – Lahore Qalandars
223 runs @ 37.16, HS: 71*, SR: 179.83; 4 wickets @ 36.5, BBI: 2-6, Econ: 9.22
Sikandar Raza made consistently useful contributions with the bat in this season of the PSL, with his highest score of 71* coming from No.7 when his team was 45-5. He picked four wickets with the ball as well.
Shaheen Afridi – Lahore Qalandars
133 runs @ 26.60, HS: 52, SR: 168.35; 19 wickets @ 21.15, BBI: 5-40, Econ: 9.13
Shaheen Afridi led Lahore Qalandars for a second consecutive PSL title and was impressive with the ball, picking 19 wickets at an average of 21.15. He also promoted himself with the bat on several occasions and gave the world a glimpse of Shaheen Afridi – the all-rounder.
Rashid Khan – Lahore Qalandars
20 wickets @ 14.05, BBI: 4-21, Econ: 6.53
It’s rare for Rashid Khan to not feature in the team of a T20 tournament. He was the best spinner on display in what was otherwise a not-so-productive season for spin bowlers. In fact, Rashid was the only spinner to pick more than 15 wickets in this season of the PSL and he makes the Team of the Tournament as the lone specialist spinner.
Ihsanullah – Multan Sultans
22 wickets @ 15.77, BBI: 5-12, Econ: 7.59
Ihsanullah was easily the find of this season, sending down thunderbolts that sent batters hoping around for cover. He finished the season with 22 wickets as the second-highest wicket-taker, including best figures of 5-12 which came against Quetta Gladiators in Sultans’ second game of the season.
Abbas Afridi – Multan Sultans
23 wickets @ 16.17, BBI: 5-47, Econ: 9.45
Abbas Afridi was the highest wicket-taker in this season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He was exceptional at the death, picking 13 wickets in the last four overs of the innings at an average of 11. He makes it to Wisden’s Team of the Tournament as the No.11.
PSL 2022: Wisden’s Pakistan Super League Team of the Tournament – the line-up
Babar Azam
Mohammad Haris
Rilee Rossouw
Tom Kohler-Cadmore
Azam Khan (wk)
Imad Wasim
Sikandar Raza
Shaheen Shah Afridi (c)
Rashid Khan
Ihsanullah
Abbas Afridi
