Top five players to watch out in 2022 Pakistan Super League
This article is all about exploring the great and in-form player to watch out for in the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Let’s dive in to find out which players are going to be very crucial and pivotal in PSL-7
Babar Azam
Babar has been in sensational form and is considered as the cornerstone for his Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise – Karachi Kings. The right-handed batter has produced top-notch innings and sometimes led the batting line-up of Kings single-handedly.
The 27-year-old will surely be one of the players in PSL-7 to watch out for, as apart from being the vital cog of Karachi, he now will be leading his side for the very first time in PSL.In PSL-6, Babar capped the tournament with being the highest scorer of the tournament. Moreover, the Lahore-born has shown remarkable performances for the Pakistan team in the last year.
Let’s see if Babar’s bat and leadership skills guide Karachi to win the podium for the 2nd time in the PSL.
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Shaheen has made him an established and protagonist player in international cricket at a very young age. The 21-year-old has collected praise and appreciation globally.
Considered a vital player in his national side, Shaheen has been a star player for Lahore Qalandars since his debut. Qalandars gave Shaheen the limelight and in return, Shaheen has been carrying the bowling line-up for them.
Moreover, since 2020 Shaheen has scalped 103 wickets, third-most by any player in T20. Furthermore, the way Shaheen showed ruthless performance in 2021 shows the skill and talent of this acrobatic cricketer. The 21-year-old owned India in the last T20 World Cup, winning his first-ever player of the match against India.
Considering all these factors, Shaheen will surely be the player to be vigilant against in PSL-7, also he will lead Lahore for the very first time as he has replaced Sohail Akhtar in the role
Mohammad Rizwan
Mohammad Rizwan had a stellar 2021 as far as the T20 format is concerned. His Bradmanesque form started from the start of the Pakistan Super League sixth season and ended up winning him both the Pakistan Cricket Board and International Cricket Counsel’s T20I player of the year award.
The wicket-keeper batter notched up 2000+ runs in T20 last year and became the first-ever player to do so. Moreover, the 27-year-old clobbered full array shots in every direction to break the myth that ‘Rizwan cannot hit sixes.’
Rizwan-led Multan Sultans will start their PSL-7 as title defenders. Last year, MS made a remarkable comeback after winning only one game in the first five matches. The UAE leg saw ruthless Multan and then standing on the winning podium for the very first time.
Let’s see if Rizwan’s bat and leadership skills help Multan to defend their title in PSL-7 or not.
Iftikhar Ahmed
Iftikhar Ahmed is another player to watch out for in the Pakistan Super League’s upcoming season. He was traded to Quetta Gladiators for Azam Khan. Azam will be making his debut for Islamabad and Iftikhar will be representing Quetta Gladiators.
The right-handed batter chalked up 409 runs in 12 innings for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the last National T20 Cup. Moreover, showing his bowling skills, the right-arm off-spinner also took 8 wickets at an average of 13.25 and an economy of 5.57.Such remarkable stats show the talent of Iftikhar Ahmed. Moreover, he is also known as one of the best fielders in team Pakistan, and also he won the best fielder award in the last season of PSL.
Let’s see how the current form of this all-rounder lights up the faith of his respective side in PSL.
Wahab Riaz
Wahab Riaz has been in clinical form as he racked up 50+ wickets in 2021 in the T20 format. The left-arm pacer has featured in Carribbean Premium League , T10 League, The Hundred, and National T20 Cup last year in addition to Pakistan Super League. Moreover, he is also the leading wicket-taker in PSL as he has scalped 94 wickets so far.
Moreover, in the recent T10 league’s edition, Wahab guided his side to the winning podium, his first trophy as a captain. The 36-year-old is also known as a raw hitter and holds the ability to change the direction of the game. Let’s see if Wahab can earn his first PSL trophy as a captain and 2nd for Peshawar Zalmi in the upcoming edition of PSL. Wahab has been in good touch in the recent past, given this fact, he is surely a player to watch out for.
