Peshawar Zalmi Announces Retention of Key Players Ahead of PSL 11
Peshawar Zalmi is delighted to announce the retention of four of its core players ahead of the Pakistan Super League 11, reinforcing the team’s competitive strength and vision for excellence. The franchise has retained Babar Azam in the Platinum category, Sufiyan Muqeem in the Diamond category, Abdul Samad in the Gold category and Ali Raza in the Emerging category, combining seasoned experience with emerging talent for the upcoming season.
Babar Azam, entering his fourth year with Peshawar Zalmi, has been a cornerstone of the team’s batting lineup over the past three seasons. In T20 cricket, he has scored 11,814 runs at a strike rate of 128.45, consistently delivering match-winning innings and providing leadership that anchors the team in high-pressure situations.
Sufiyan Muqeem, entering his fifth year with the franchise, has been a key figure in Zalmi’s bowling attack. In T20 cricket, he has claimed 51 wickets with an exceptional economy rate of 6.35, making him a dependable match-winner and a strategic asset on the field.
Abdul Samad, entering his second season with Peshawar Zalmi, has scored 1,766 runs at a strike rate of 148.03 in T20 cricket, showcasing his ability to turn matches with aggressive middle-order batting.
Ali Raza, entering the Emerging category, has impressed as a fast bowler, claiming 16 wickets in T20 cricket at an economy rate of 8.80, demonstrating pace, skill and immense potential to become a key asset for the team.
Chairman Peshawar Zalmi & Zalmi Foundation, Mr. Javed Afridi, expressed his pride in welcoming back the players, stating, “We are thrilled to retain Babar Azam, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad and Ali Raza as part of our core group for PSL 11. We believe they are the best ones in their categories and will continue to inspire our fans with their talent, dedication and passion. We wish them all the very best for a successful PSL 11 campaign.”
Due to the shift from the draft to the auction model, Peshawar Zalmi was only able to retain four players this season, compared to eight in previous years. The franchise had to let go of some players who were introduced to the world of cricket as part of the core team and wishes them the very best of luck in their future endeavors. With these retentions, Peshawar Zalmi continues to build a squad with a perfect balance of proven experience and emerging talent, ready to compete at the highest level and deliver memorable moments for fans across Pakistan.