King’s Coronation: Babar Azam Named Captain of HBL PSL 11 Team of the Tournament
By Nawaz Gohar ; Following a pulsating HBL Pakistan Super League 11 that saw 44 high-octane matches held across Lahore and Karachi, the dust has finally settled.
In a fitting tribute to his tactical acumen and prolific batting, Peshawar Zalmi’s drought-breaking skipper, Babar Azam, has been officially announced as the captain of the HBL PSL 11 Team of the Tournament. This selection marks the culmination of a campaign where Babar not only lifted his third PSL trophy—his first as captain—but also secured the Hanif Muhammad cap by amassing a remarkable 588 runs.
His performance, which included two commanding centuries against Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United, saw him equal Fakhar Zaman’s 2022 record for the most runs in a single season, cementing his legacy as the premier batter of the tournament.
The composite team, curated by an esteemed five-member panel from the commentary team, reflects the diversity and competitive balance of the season. The squad features a strong representation from the champions, Peshawar Zalmi, alongside finalists Hyderabad Kingsmen, with contributions from Lahore Qalandars, Islamabad United, Multan Sultans, and Quetta Gladiators.
Joining skipper Babar Azam from the Zalmi camp are wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis and the tournament’s standout performer, Sufyan Moqim. Mendis was a rock in the batting lineup, accumulating 550 runs with a century and four fifties, complemented by eight dismissals behind the stumps.
Meanwhile, Sufyan Moqim, the winner of the Fazal Mehmood cap, was the undeniable force of the season, claiming 22 scalps with his menacing left-arm wrist spin at a miserly average of 14.40 and an economy rate of 7.20, ultimately earning the titles of Player of the Tournament and Best Bowler.
The runners-up, Hyderabad Kingsmen, also saw three of their stars earn a place in the elite lineup. Usman Khan was instrumental in the middle order, finishing fourth on the run charts with 389 runs, including a century and three half-centuries. He is joined by the acrobatic Hassan Khan, whose electric fielding and clinical finishing—scoring 139 runs at a strike rate of 195—made him a vital asset.
Rounding out the Kingsmen trio is the emerging sensation Hunain Shah, whose 17 wickets made him the joint-third leading wicket-taker of the season and a cornerstone of the team’s late-tournament surge.
The rest of the side features individual brilliance from across the league. Lahore Qalandars are represented by veteran Fakhar Zaman, the tournament’s all-time leading run-scorer who added 401 runs in just eight matches, and speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi, who continued to be a threat with 16 wickets at an average of 18.18. Multan Sultans’ Shan Masood finds his place at No. 4, reflecting a consistent campaign where he accumulated 367 runs at an average of 45.87 and a strike rate of 158.18.
Islamabad United’s captain Shadab Khan secures his spot as the tournament’s best all-rounder, having tallied 173 runs and 17 wickets, supported by his teammate Richard Gleeson, whose opening spells proved lethal with 12 wickets at a highly efficient economy of 7.13. Quetta Gladiators’ Hasan Nawaz, who impressed with 291 runs and two half-centuries, was named as the 12th man of the side.
Parallel to the senior team, the jury also unveiled the “Emerging Team of the Tournament,” a lineup dedicated to the rising stars who promise a bright future for Pakistan cricket.
This squad is headlined by Islamabad United’s Sameer Minhas, who finished as his team’s leading run-scorer with 349 runs at an aggressive strike rate of 155.80. The lineup features breakout star Farhan Yousuf, the Best Fielder of the tournament and former U19 World Cup captain, alongside fiery pacer Ali Raza, the only bowler to claim a hat-trick this season.
The bowling attack of this emerging side is bolstered by spinner Momin Qamar and a formidable pace trio consisting of Ubaid Shah, Hunain Shah—who earns a double honor for his standout season—and Mohammad Ismail.
The batting depth is further strengthened by the all-round versatility of Saad Masood, who is slotted in at No. 6, while the top order features the promising trio of Shamyl Hussain, Maaz Sadaqat,
and wicketkeeper-batter Mirza Saad Baig. This selection highlights the depth of talent currently emerging within the domestic circuit, promising a vibrant future for the sport as these young players continue their development.
