PSL 2023 Stats

Pakistan Super League (PSL) 8 is just around the corner and it promises to be bigger than ever. Pakistani superstars such as Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Naseem Shah will be seen in action alongside renowned international stars, David Miller, Rashid Khan, Liam Livingstone, Wanindu Hasaranga and Alex Hales, who will light up the stadiums in Pakistan. Let’s have a deeper dive into the best performers in PSL history, with the best batters, bowlers, fielders, wicket-keepers, and the biggest hitters. Here is the breakdown of PSL stats over the years:

PSL Stats: Most Runs

Pakistan’s all-format captain and Peshawar Zalmi’s latest induction, Babar Azam, is the most prolific run-scorer in PSL history. The superstar batter will be determined to lead from the front and lead Peshawar Zalmi to their first PSL title since PSL 2 and their second PSL title overall. Babar has been magnificent in the tournament during his time with Karachi Kings. Babar has scored 2,413 runs at an average of 42.33 and a strike rate of 121.13 in 66 innings he has played in PSL history.

Former Peshawar Zalmi wicket-keeper batter, Kamran Akmal, is second on the list for most runs in PSL history. The swashbuckling opener scored 1,972 runs at an average of 27.38 and a strike rate of 136.94 in 74 innings he played during his PSL career. Kamran will not be seen in action in PSL 8 after going unpicked in PSL 2023 draft.

Lahore Qalandars’ explosive opener, Fakhar Zaman, became the third-highest run-scorer in PSL history after outstanding performances in PSL 7. Fakhar’s contribution at the top of the order played a major contribution as Lahore won their first PSL title in the previous edition. Fakhar has scored 1.939 runs at an average of 31.27 and a strike rate of 138.79 in 63 innings. Fakhar is certain to cross Kamran Akmal in the second spot in PSL 8.

Veteran middle-order batter, Shoaib Malik, is fourth on the list with 1,882 runs at an average of 34.21 and a strike rate of 129.97 in 68 innings in PSL history. Malik has scored these runs for three franchises, Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, and Peshawar Zalmi. The veteran all-rounder will be seen in action for Karachi Kings once again in PSL 8.

Former Pakistan middle-order batter, Mohammad Hafeez, finished his PSL career as the fifth-highest run-scorer in the competition’s history. Hafeez will not be in action in PSL 2023 after oing unpicked in PSL 8 draft. Hafeez scored 1,596 runs at an average of 27.51 and a strike rate of 122.67 in 68 PSL innings.

It will be interesting to see who will lead the run-scoring charts for PSL 2022 stats.

Most Wickets

Peshawar Zalmi’s veteran left-arm pacer, Wahab Riaz, has taken the highest number of wickets, picking up 103 wickets at an average of 21.29 and an economy rate of 7.59 in 77 matches. Wahab will be determined to lead the Peshawar pace attack and add to his tally of wickets in PSL 2023.

Wahab’s partner in crime for several years, Hasan Ali, is the second leading wicket-taker in the tournament’s history. Hasan spent five seasons at Zalmi before moving to Islamabad United in PSL 6. Hasan struggled for form in the previous edition but will be aiming to get back to his best and help Islamabad United win their third PSL title. He has picked up 81 wickets at an average of 23.07 and an economy rate of 7.83 in 64 matches.

Pakistan’s pace spearhead, Shaheen Afridi, lead from the front as he captain Lahore Qalandars to their first PSL title in history. Shaheen will be determined to lead Lahore to defend their title and become the first team in PSL history to retain their title. Shaheen has picked up 70 wickets at an average of 20.77 and an economy rate of 7.63 in 50 PSL matches.

Islamabad United’s captain, Shadab Khan, is the only spinner in the top five wicke-takers list. Shadab spent a majority time on the sidelines due to injury in the previous edition but this time around he will be looking to lead Islamabad to their first title since PSL 3. Shadab has taken 65 wickets at an average of 24.23 and an economy rate of 7.26 in 61 matches in PSL history.

Faheem Ashraf of Islamabad United is the fifth-highest wicket-taker in PSL history. He has picked up 64 wickets at an average of 20.71 and an economy rate of 7.94 in 49 matches he has played in PSL.

Most Sixes

Former Peshawar opener, Kamran Akmal, has smashed the most number of sixes in PSL history. Akmal struck 89 sixes in 74 innings he played in PSL history.

Australian legend, Shane Watson, comes in at second on the list for most sixes in PSL history. Watson has been renowned all over the world for his six-hitting ability and he ruled the charts in PSL too with 81 sixes in 46 innings.

Islamabad United’s hard-hitting middle-order batter, Asif Ali, is one of the biggest six hitters in the world. He has hit an astonishing 79 sixes in only 57 innings in PSL history. Exceptional record for a batter than usually bats at the backend of the innings.

Lahore Qalandars’ opener, Fakhar Zaman, raced to the fourth spot after a successful PSL 7. Fakhar has struck 73 maximums in 63 innings in PSL.

Karachi Kings’ opening batter, Sharjeel Khan, and veteran middle-order batter, Shoaib Malik, have both struck 72 sixes in PSL history. Although, Sharjeel has taken less innings than Malik to smash them . Sharjeel has taken 44 innings while Malik has taken 57 innings to reach the landmark.

Highest Totals

Two-time PSL champions, Islamabad United, achieved the highest team total in PSL history as they scored 247/2 against Pesahwar Zalmi in 2021. Usman Khawaja scored an unbeaten century as United batting unit took apart a strong Zalmi bowling unit.

The second-highest PSL total was achieved by Multan Sultans in PSL 7. Sultans scored 245/3 against Quetta Gladiators at Lahore. Rossouw struck 76 off only 21 balls to help Sultans post a mammoth total.

Once again, Islamabad United are in the list. They scored 238/3 against Lahore Qalandars in PSL 4, which is the third-highest total in PSL history. Cameron Delport scored a magnificent century as he took apart Qalandars’ bowling unit at Karachi.

This time Islamabad were on the receiving end of the onslaught by Peshawar Zalmi. They registered the fourth-highest score against Islamabad United in PSL 6. They almost pulled off an incredible chase but ultimately fell short as they could manage 232/6 in their 20 overs.

Islamabad United, sticking true to their philosophy of attacking cricket, also managed the fifth-highest score in PSL history. They scored 229/4 against Quetta Gladiators in PSL 7. Colin Munro, Azam Khan, and Paul Stirling scored quickfire half-centuries as United posted a huge total.

Which of the six franchises will possess enough firepower in PSL 8 to register the highest total in PSL history? We will wait and see.

Most Catches

Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, also leads the charts for most catches taken in PSL history, Babar has taken 39 catches in 67 innings in PSL.

All-rounder, Mohammad Nawaz is second on the list with 34 catches in 66 innings. Fakhar Zaman is third with 29 catches in in 63 innings while Asif Ali has also taken 29 catches, but in 67 innings.. Iftikhar Ahmed has taken 27 catches in 48 innings.

Babar Azam’s average catches per innings are the highest among the lot, taking 0.582 catches per innings while Nawaz has taken 0.515 catches per innings.

Have a look at our PSL Points Table page to see where your team is standing.