A look back at the fifth season of Pakistan Super League and some of the best performers in the tournament.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently concluded the fifth season of the lucrative T-20 competition Pakistan Super League (PSL). The league’s season five was the first edition when the PCB organized an entire tournament in Pakistan. On November 17, 2020, Karachi Kings led by Imad Wasim lifted the maiden title. Despite all the hiccups, it turned out to be a dream year for Karachi based franchise.
The tournament had some of the best cricketing talents in Pakistan and few international stars. Many legendary cricketers were also part of the coaching staff of various teams. Habib Bank Limited sponsored PSL 2020 commenced on February 20, earlier this year and it was supposed to end in March 2020, but it was delayed due to the pandemic. The double-round robin tournament had 34 matches played in two installments.
PSL 2020 saw some exceptional growth in the form of viewership and commercial value as well. The league games were played in the pre-coronavirus era and the business end was scheduled in November.
Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators were the six franchisees that locked horns against each other for the prize. Each team played 10 games before the knockouts and four of them got through to the playoffs.
The tournament was contested at four different venues: the Gadaffi Stadium (11 matches), National Stadium (12 matches), Rawalpindi Stadium (eight matches), and Multan Stadium (three matches). The tournament saw exceptional growth after returning to Pakistan. It also witnessed some brilliant individual performances. Here are some of the best players in the tournament.
BABAR AZAM’S MASTERCLASS
The Pakistan National team skipper, Babar Azam was the lone warrior in Karachi’s batting unit, scoring the maximum number of runs in the fifth season of PSL. Babar finished the tournament with three Match of the Match awards. He scored 473 runs in 11 innings at a splendid average of 59.19. Babar was awarded the Best Batsman & the Player of the Series award for the HBL PSL 2020.
BEN DUNK’S MONSTROUS HITTING
Ben Robert Dunk has struggled to make a mark with the national team, but the Tasmanian southpaw got his true recognition in front of the Lahore crowd. The left-hander played ten games for the Lahore Qalandars and batted a strike-rate of 170. Dunk smoked 23 gigantic sixes during the tournament. The 33-year-old was also awarded the Best Wicketkeeper Award for his nine grabs behind the stumps. Â
SHAHEEN AFRIDIÂ CONTINUES TO IMPRESS
At the age of 20, Shaheen Shah Afridi is the spearhead of the Lahore bowling unit. He took 17 wickets in the tournament at a formidable economy rate. Along with ample support from David Wiese and Hasnain Shah, Afridi managed to take Lahore to the final. In the final, Afridi stood out with his bowling, but it was not enough to take the team to victory.
HAIDER Ali – PAKISTAN’S FUTURE SUPERSTAR
Earlier this year, Haider Ali represented Pakistan in the Under-19 World Cup. He enjoyed a breakthrough year in PSL after mesmerizing fans with his glorious cover drives. Ali managed to score 239 runs in PSL, winning the Emerging player of the year award. He also made his debut for the national team against Zimbabwe before the knockout round of PSL.
A day after the Grand Finale, the PSL Technical Committee released the team of the tournament by the jury consisting Ramiz Raja, Bazid Khan, and Urooj Mumtaz. Apart from Haider Ali, all the players mentioned above featured in this team. Haider Ali is one for the future, so sooner rather than later he will be selected in the team of the season.