PSL 2022 team of the tournament: Who makes our XI?

CIARAN MCCARTHY puts together the best XI from PSL 7, with one Englishman making the cut

Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars)

13 matches, 588 runs, average 45.23, strike rate 152.72

Zaman was the most consistent batter in the competition, setting a new record for the most runs in a single PSL campaign.

The opener got off to a flier, hitting 76 from just 35 runs in Qalandars’ season-opener against Multan Sultans, and followed that up with the first century of the tournament, a scintillating 106 from 60 balls against Karachi Kings.

He reached double figures in nine of his 13 innings and though he failed to fire in the final, he more than made up for it with a fine display in the field.

Shan Masood (Multan Sultans)

12 matches, 478 runs, average 39.83, strike rate 138.32

Masood oozed class throughout PSL 7, with his combination of composed stroke play and destructive power at the top of the order consistently getting Sultans off to an ideal start.

His partnership at the top with Mohammad Rizwan was a devastating one, with the pair putting on three century partnerships and another worth 98.

Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans)

12 matches, 546 runs, average 68.25, strike rate 126.68

As captain of the Sultans, Rizwan’s contribution goes further than the eye can see. 

That being said, he still had a fantastic tournament with the bat, surpassing his 500 runs from last season before the final had even taken place.

His general demeanour on the field gained him a lot of admiration, and his effective captaincy coupled with top performances with bat in hand meant he had a tournament to remember.

^{Fakhar Zaman finished as the PSL's top run-scorer (Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images)}

Alex Hales (Islamabad United)

9 matches, 355 runs, average 44.37, strike rate 147.30

An up and down tournament for Islamabad United was salvaged by several standout contributions from the Englishman.

At the top of the order, he passed 50 on three occasions. His high score - an unbeaten 82 in Islamabad’s first game - set the tone for his season.

Hales returned following a short break in time for the playoffs and played a crucial knock of 62 from 49 balls to help his side across the line in Eliminator 1.

Shoaib Malik (Peshawar Zalmi)

11 matches, 401 runs, average 44.55, strike rate 137.32, 3 wickets, economy 6.54

The evergreen allrounder shows no sign of slowing down with some crucial knocks in the Zalmi middle order. 

Malik finished well above any of his teammates in the run charts, with no other player passing 200.

The most eye-catching knock came courtesy of a third half-century of the tournament - 55 from 43 balls in Eliminator 1 against Islamabad United.

Khushdil Shah celebrates (Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images)

Shadab Khan (Islamabad United)

9 matches, 268 runs, average 33.50, strike rate 162.42, 19 wickets, economy 6.46

Despite a period out injured, Shadab managed to put up some incredible numbers.

Before he was sidelined the Islamabad skipper had already taken 17 wickets, having bowled in just six games. On his return to the side, he claimed two more scalps, split across the eliminator matches and finished averaging 10.89.

Shadab took one five-wicket haul and took four in a game on two occasions.

Floating through the order, the 23-year-old had an impact with the bat in most roles. He twice passed the half-century mark with his best performance coming against Multan Sultans, against whom he smashed 91 from just 42 deliveries at No.4.

Khushdil Shah (Multan Sultans) 

12 matches, 153 runs, average 25.50, strike rate 182.14, 16 wickets, economy 6.89

Khushdil showed his undoubted ability with both bat and ball during the tournament with some vital contributions.

Naturally, the spinner had an impact with the ball, taking countless important wickets.

However, he also had a good tournament with the bat and was able to showcase his prowess as a finisher.

Sultans’ second match of the season saw them need 15 runs from the final over to beat Qalandars.

Khushdil had just walked to the crease but took no time to get settled as he hit Haris Rauf for three consecutive fours, before finishing the game off by pumping the quick into the stands with two balls to go.

Shaheen Shah Afridi (Lahore Qalandars)

13 matches, 20 wickets, economy 7.57

Appointed captain of the Qalandars this season, Shaheen had a quality tournament with the ball and showed glimpses with the bat too as his side went all the way.

The left-arm quick took big wickets time after time, with one of his most impressive performances coming against Quetta Gladiators, when he was able to dismiss Jason Roy and James Vince with a pair of sharp swinging deliveries in consecutive balls, finishing with 2 for 27.

There is no doubting his best performance with the bat, which came against Zalmi in Qalandars’ final group game, managing to tie the game by hitting 22 runs in the final five balls, finishing on 39 from 20 balls, to set up a tense super over finale.

And he secured the title with three wickets at the death to finally see off Sultans.

Zaman Khan strikes again (Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images)

Imran Tahir (Multan Sultans)

12 matches, 16 wickets, economy 6.47

Tahir displayed the same wicket-taking ability that has dominated his career.

His stand-out performance came against Karachi Kings in the first meeting between the pair. Tahir went for just 16 runs from his four overs, picking up three wickets in the process, including opening batter Sharjeel Khan.

Shahnawaz Dahani (Multan Sultans)

11 matches, 17 wickets, economy 9.33

Dahani was the focal point of the Sultans’ bowling attack for much of the tournament and there was no doubting his impact as they reached the final.

The 23-year-old’s energy was electric throughout the tournament, regularly taking off into wild celebration every time he took a big wicket.

And alongside that handy knack of breaking partnerships, he was reliable in the field, taking the big scalp of Fakhar Zaman in the final, keeping his cool on the boundary.

Zaman Khan (Lahore Qalandars)

13 matches, 18 wickets, economy 8.26

Khan established himself as a genuine option with the new ball within the Qalandars side this season, thanks to a host of fine performances.

The 20-year-old’s raw pace and aggression allowed him to unsettle batters time and time again. Khan’s best showing - 4 for 16 against Karachi Kings - was a particularly impressive display of pace bowling.

Clearly, Shaheen is an admirer of the young quick, thanks to his impressive nature throughout the tournament, as he utilised him in the powerplay ahead of Haris Rauf on a few occasions.