The playing XI has been formed after taking into account the first seven matches of the tournament
25 February, 2020
PHOTO COURTESY: PCB
The Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL) is currently taking place in Pakistan, for the first time, with six teams participating in the tournament’s fifth edition.
We bring to you the team of the week after the conclusion of the first seven matches, which took place from February 20-23.
Babar Azam — Karachi Kings
Babar Azam played a key role in Karachi Kings’ win over Peshawar Zalmi with a healthy contribution, 78 off 56 balls, with the bat. Karachi’s batting relies a lot on Babar to be their main man and their chances of winning the title will depend a lot on how he performs over the course of the event.
Kamran Akmal — Peshawar Zalmi
Kamran Akmal, the top-scorer in HBL PSL history, has already scored his first century of the event which led Peshawar Zalmi to a comfortable victory over Quetta Gladiators. He scored 101 off just 55 balls in an innings which included 13 fours and 4 sixes.
ALSO READ: Zeeshan Ashraf challenges Kamran Akmal for Pakistan's T20I wicketkeeper spot
Dawid Malan — Islamabad United
South Africa’s middle-order batsman Dawid Malan has struck the ball sweetly whenever he has come out to bat in the ongoing HBL PSL. He has 121 runs under his belt after first three innings in the tournament.
Mohammad Hafeez — Lahore Qalandars
Pakistan veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez is a very important member of the Lahore Qalandars outfit, with both bat and ball. His unbeaten 98 off 57 balls against Islamabad United, although in a losing cause, was a breath of fresh air for a team which needs its experienced players to come good.
Azam Khan — Quetta Gladiators
Azam Khan has been, without a doubt, the star of the tournament so far as he proved his critics wrong, who questioned his ability to score runs because of his weight and the fact that he is the son of Quetta Gladiators’ Head Coach Moin Khan. He has already taken his team to victory, twice in three matches, which must have taken pressure of his shoulders. He has scored 110 runs in the tournament so far.
ALSO READ: The story behind Azam Khan’s meteoric rise
Sarfaraz Ahmed — Quetta Gladiators (wicketkeeper/captain)
After being stripped of Pakistan’s captaincy and being dropped from the side, few months back, Sarfaraz Ahmed will be looking to use HBL PSL as an opportunity to prove a point and win back the trust of the selectors. His knocks of 21, 41 and 37* have come at a brisk pace while also marshalling the troops in a good manner in the tournament so far.
Shadab Khan — Islamabad United
Shadab Khan failed to impress in the first match against Quetta Gladiators but he bounced back in superb fashion against Lahore Qalandars. The leg-spinner took 2 wickets for 14 runs and then scored a quick-fire fifty to play a key role in his team’s thrilling one-wicket victory.
Amad Butt — Islamabad United
Amad Butt was instrumental in his team’s eight-wicket win over Multan Sultans. He impressed one and all with his bowling and went on to claim figures of four wickets for 27 runs.
Musa Khan — Islamabad United
We all knew that Musa Khan can make the ball talk but he surprised everyone with his calm and composed batting, 17 off 11 balls, to seal a memorable one-wicket victory against Lahore Qalandars. He also has five wickets in the bag after three games.
Shaheen Afridi — Lahore Qalandars
Lahore Qalandars may have lost their opening two games of the tournament but pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has once again been impressive with the ball. His ability to bowl with accuracy without compromising on pace is a delight to watch. He was on song with the ball against Islamabad United, bagging figures of 4-18.
Mohammad Hasnain — Quetta Gladiators
Young pacer Hasnain came into the limelight after a successful season last year and he has started the ongoing edition in similar fashion. He is currently the highest wicket taker of the tournament with seven wickets to his name.
