PSL 11’s highest scorer Babar Azam named captain of the edition’s Team of the Year

LAHORE(National Times)- The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday revealed the ‘Team of the Year’ for the 11th HBL Pakistan Super League edition, with Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam leading the side after finishing as the highest run-getter for the season, said a press release issued by the board.

The 11th HBL PSL season culminated on Sunday with Peshawar Zalmi lifting the title for the second time since 2017, after beating tournament debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets in Lahore.

“The team was selected by a five-member committee from the esteemed commentary team. The jury also selected an emerging team of the tournament as well, comprising young Pakistan players,” the PCB said.

Babar, who scored 558 runs in 11 innings, was named as the captain of the side. He also struck two spectacular centuries in the season against Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United.

Peshawar Zalmi’s Kusal Mendis and Lahore Qalandars’ Fakhar Zaman are also part of the team for scoring the maximum number of runs after Babar.

Multan Sultans’ batter and Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood also earned a place in the team, along with Hyderabad Kingsmen wicket-keeper batter Usman Khan.

Islamabad United captain and all-rounder Shadab Khan was included in the team after taking 17 wickets in the season. He was also named the season’s best all-rounder.

Hyderabad Kingsmen’s Hassan Khan and Hunain Shah were also included in the team, along with Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Triumphant Peshawar Zalmi spinner Sufyan Muqeem was added to the side after taking 22 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 14.40. He also won the Best Bowler and Player of the Tournament awards for his outstanding performance.

Islamabad United pacer Richard Gleeson was also included. Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators’ Hassan Ayaz was named as the 12th player in the team.

No player from Karachi Kings or the Rawalpindi franchise could make it into the final XI.

Furthermore, the HBL PSL 11 Emerging Team of the Year was announced, featuring several promising names.”