Shadab or Wahab: Who will dominate PSL7?

• Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi have been the most successful PSL sides since the league’s inception in 2016.
• Shadab Khan has won 12 of 23 matches for IU and Wahab Riaz has 50% success-rate in 18 matches as Zalmi’s skipper.
• The two had been at the forefront of their teams’ successes.

Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi have been the most successful Pakistan Super League (PSL) sides since the league’s inception in 2016.

They were the first two sides to win the title: Islamabad United made history in Dubai by winning the inaugural edition and Peshawar Zalmi bagged the title with a commanding win over Quetta Gladiators in 2017 at the Gaddafi Stadium in what was the first-ever PSL match to be held on Pakistan soil.

Islamabad United are the only side to win the PSL title twice and boast a winning percentage of 56.15 — which is the best amongst the six sides. Peshawar Zalmi, who have played four finals, have won 55.07% of their matches.

Shadab Khan, who became the youngest captain in the tournament history when he was appointed at the role in 2020, has won 12 of 23 matches for Islamabad United and experienced pacer Wahab Riaz has a 50% success rate in 18 matches as Peshawar Zalmi’s skipper.

The two had been at the forefront of their teams’ successes.

Shadab made a mark in his debut PSL season in 2017 with his versatile leg-spin and electrifying fielding and earned a maiden call-up for the national side for the limited-overs tour of the West Indies, where he bagged player of the match awards in his first two international T20s.

Shadab picked the majority of his wickets in the middle overs, helping his team keep a lid on the opposition’s flow of runs. The leg-spinner has 41 scalps in overs 7-16 — which are the most for any bowler in the tournament. He has also come in handy as a batter, scoring three half-centuries and accumulating 532 runs at a strike rate of 128.

Wahab has continued to stamp his credentials as a reliable short-format bowler in the PSL. The left-arm quick has snared 94 wickets — the most in the tournament — at 19.61 runs apiece. His searing pace and scorching reverse swing have garnered him 44 scalps in the last four overs. The next best in this phase is Sohail Tanvir with 31 wickets.

The battle for domination will continue when the two teams will meet on January 30 and February 17 at National Stadium and Gaddafi Stadium, respectively. To date, Islamabad United have won eight of the 15 matches between these two sides — which include the final of the 2018 edition in Karachi — while Peshawar Zalmi have won seven.

Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan said: “The PSL and Islamabad United hold great significance in my life. This tournament propelled me to the national side and has a great role to play in my progression.

“It is a great platform where youngsters can rub shoulders with the seniors and it has benefitted many cricketers, including me. Since my debut in the PSL, Islamabad United have put their faith in me and given me the atmosphere in which I can express myself and that has helped me grow as a cricketer.

“Peshawar Zalmi are one of the toughest sides in the PSL and we have had some exciting matches against them. The upcoming tournament will be no different. We have won eight matches against them and will try our level best to stretch the lead.”

Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi captain Wahab Riaz said: “The PSL has proved to be the most exciting brand come out of Pakistan and it enjoys a massive following all around the world. This is because of the quality of cricket that it produces and each season has brought forward new talent.

“Over the years, we have seen some extraordinary youngsters in the Zalmi colours and they have done brilliantly to repay the faith the team has put in them. Our team has gelled brilliantly, and each individual, whether senior or junior, has delivered.

“Facing Islamabad United is always an exciting proposition. They are a great bunch of sportsmen and play the game with good spirit. Our matches always bring together Islamabad and Peshawar fans, and I am sure both red and yellow fans are looking forward to our games.”

Squads (in alphabetical order):

Islamabad United — Shadab Khan (c), Alex Hales, Asif Ali, Ather Mehmood, Azam Khan, Colin Munro, Danish Aziz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Marchant De Lange, Mohammad Akhlaq, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mubasir Khan, Musa Khan, Paul Stirling, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Reece Topley, Zafar Gohar, Zahir Khan and Zeeshan Zameer/Mohammad Huraira

Peshawar Zalmi — Wahab Riaz (c), Aarish Ali Khan, Arshad Iqbal, Ben Cutting, Haider Ali, Hazratullah Zazai, Hussain Talat, Kamran Akmal, Liam Livingstone/Matthew Parkinson, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Umar, Salman Irshad, Sameen Gul, Saqib Mahmood/Pat Brown, Sherfane Rutherford, Shoaib Malik, Sirajuddin, Sohail Khan, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Usman Qadir