- Joined
- Aug 1, 2023
- Runs
- 5,679
This has the feel of one of the most anti-climactic PSL seasons in recent memory. On paper, it promised so much: expansion to eight teams, a longer window, and the arrival of global names like Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell. And yet, the absence of crowds—officially attributed to an “energy crisis”—has drained it of atmosphere before a ball has even been bowled. There is a lingering suspicion that the real reasons lie elsewhere, tied perhaps to the ever-fragile security situation in the north-west. Whatever the cause, the result is the same: a tournament that already feels diminished.
But the deeper disappointment predates this PSL. It stems from the aftertaste of the recent T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka / India. Ten years into the PSL’s existence, Pakistan still finds itself struggling against associate-level opposition, a reality that is difficult to reconcile with the league’s stated purpose as a talent factory. Yes, it has produced players of note—Haris Rauf and Saim Ayub among them—but too often these players appear to falter when the stage grows bigger and the pressure heavier.
More troubling is how frequently PSL potential is mishandled. Ihsanullah’s trajectory, derailed by injury and questionable management, feels emblematic of a broader malaise. Others, like Hassan Nawaz / Mohammad Haris, are shuffled around without clear roles, their development sacrificed to short-term thinking. For many fans, the PSL was once a window into the future—a chance to glimpse Pakistan’s next generation. Increasingly, it feels like a reminder of how often that future is squandered.
And yet, as always, hope persists. That is the peculiar hold of the PSL—it continues to offer questions worth asking, even when answers remain elusive.
What I am looking out for this PSL:
1) The search for a finisher
Pakistan’s inability to produce a reliable finisher remains one of its most glaring deficiencies. A revolving door of names—Irfan Khan Niazi, Abdul Samad, Haider Ali, Mohammad Haris, Iftikhar Ahmed, and others—has so far yielded little certainty. The modern T20 game demands a player who can reliably close innings with both power and composure. Whether this PSL finally reveals one remains to be seen.
2) The next generation of fast bowlers
Pakistan’s fast-bowling pipeline is rarely dry, but it is often disrupted. Ihsanullah returns as a figure of intrigue, though questions linger over whether he can rediscover his previous pace and menace. The spotlight may instead shift to younger prospects like Ali Raza and Ubaid Shah, whose development this season could prove significant. Both players showcased their raw skill last year, and I look forward to seeing their progress.
3) The wicketkeeper-batsman dilemma
Few positions encapsulate Pakistan’s current uncertainty more than wicketkeeper-batsman. Usman Khan appears to be the frontrunner, yet doubts remain over both his glovework and his ability against high pace. Mohammad Haris continues to promise more than he delivers, while Haseebullah Khan waits in the wings. Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan will once again attempt to reconcile consistency with a higher scoring tempo. Among the younger names, Saad Baig has much to prove after a modest previous season where he averaged 11 with the bat at a strike rate of 122. A year later, we will find out his he has honed his game.
4) Emerging names and quiet contenders
Beyond the established narratives, there are always players who arrive unannounced.
Sameer Minhas (Islamabad United)
Islamabad spent 1.9 crore to bring this left-handed opener into the fold.
He recently broke the record for the fastest youth ODI hundred (42 balls) and was Pakistan's top scorer at the 2026 U19 World Cup. His stroke play is incredibly smooth—think a mix of Saeed Anwar’s timing with Saim Ayub’s power
Usama Mir comes into the tournament in strong form from the recent National T20 World Cup, where he was the highest wicket taker, bagging 16 wickets at an average of 10. Coupled with his batting, where he averaged 29 with a strike rate of 176. Time will tell if he is a more consistent player or if he still continues to bowl the occasional long-hop.
Then there are the batters who dominated the recent National T20 Cup—Hassan Nawaz, Kamran Ghulam, and Abdullah Shafique. They were the highest run scorers of the tournament and all struck with between 155 - 187. Kamran Ghulam was exceptional and struck at 187 which was by far, the highest strike rate of those who made more than 150 runs
The left-arm wrist-spinners: Sufiyan Muqeem, Faisal Akram and Momin Qamar
Pakistan finds itself in the unusual position of having a small but intriguing pool of left-arm wrist-spinners. Sufiyan Muqeem has the strongest numbers of the three and has already shown glimpses of control and consistency, though he has often found himself edged out by more established options like Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq. At times, though, his bowling can appear a touch too flat, lacking the variation needed to consistently trouble high-quality batters.
In contrast, there is something about Faisal Akram that feels more naturally gifted—perhaps the most complete of the trio, with a higher ceiling if developed properly. And then there is the youngest of them, Momin Qamar, still only 19, who has been spoken about in promising terms for a couple of years now. Whether this PSL affords him meaningful game time will be worth watching, because players of this kind are rare—and, in Pakistan’s case, too often fleeting.
For all its flaws, the PSL still compels attention. Not because it consistently delivers, but because it continues to hint at what Pakistan cricket could be—if only it learned how to take better care of its own promise.
But the deeper disappointment predates this PSL. It stems from the aftertaste of the recent T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka / India. Ten years into the PSL’s existence, Pakistan still finds itself struggling against associate-level opposition, a reality that is difficult to reconcile with the league’s stated purpose as a talent factory. Yes, it has produced players of note—Haris Rauf and Saim Ayub among them—but too often these players appear to falter when the stage grows bigger and the pressure heavier.
More troubling is how frequently PSL potential is mishandled. Ihsanullah’s trajectory, derailed by injury and questionable management, feels emblematic of a broader malaise. Others, like Hassan Nawaz / Mohammad Haris, are shuffled around without clear roles, their development sacrificed to short-term thinking. For many fans, the PSL was once a window into the future—a chance to glimpse Pakistan’s next generation. Increasingly, it feels like a reminder of how often that future is squandered.
And yet, as always, hope persists. That is the peculiar hold of the PSL—it continues to offer questions worth asking, even when answers remain elusive.
What I am looking out for this PSL:
1) The search for a finisher
Pakistan’s inability to produce a reliable finisher remains one of its most glaring deficiencies. A revolving door of names—Irfan Khan Niazi, Abdul Samad, Haider Ali, Mohammad Haris, Iftikhar Ahmed, and others—has so far yielded little certainty. The modern T20 game demands a player who can reliably close innings with both power and composure. Whether this PSL finally reveals one remains to be seen.
2) The next generation of fast bowlers
Pakistan’s fast-bowling pipeline is rarely dry, but it is often disrupted. Ihsanullah returns as a figure of intrigue, though questions linger over whether he can rediscover his previous pace and menace. The spotlight may instead shift to younger prospects like Ali Raza and Ubaid Shah, whose development this season could prove significant. Both players showcased their raw skill last year, and I look forward to seeing their progress.
3) The wicketkeeper-batsman dilemma
Few positions encapsulate Pakistan’s current uncertainty more than wicketkeeper-batsman. Usman Khan appears to be the frontrunner, yet doubts remain over both his glovework and his ability against high pace. Mohammad Haris continues to promise more than he delivers, while Haseebullah Khan waits in the wings. Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan will once again attempt to reconcile consistency with a higher scoring tempo. Among the younger names, Saad Baig has much to prove after a modest previous season where he averaged 11 with the bat at a strike rate of 122. A year later, we will find out his he has honed his game.
4) Emerging names and quiet contenders
Beyond the established narratives, there are always players who arrive unannounced.
Sameer Minhas (Islamabad United)
Islamabad spent 1.9 crore to bring this left-handed opener into the fold.
He recently broke the record for the fastest youth ODI hundred (42 balls) and was Pakistan's top scorer at the 2026 U19 World Cup. His stroke play is incredibly smooth—think a mix of Saeed Anwar’s timing with Saim Ayub’s power
Usama Mir comes into the tournament in strong form from the recent National T20 World Cup, where he was the highest wicket taker, bagging 16 wickets at an average of 10. Coupled with his batting, where he averaged 29 with a strike rate of 176. Time will tell if he is a more consistent player or if he still continues to bowl the occasional long-hop.
Then there are the batters who dominated the recent National T20 Cup—Hassan Nawaz, Kamran Ghulam, and Abdullah Shafique. They were the highest run scorers of the tournament and all struck with between 155 - 187. Kamran Ghulam was exceptional and struck at 187 which was by far, the highest strike rate of those who made more than 150 runs
The left-arm wrist-spinners: Sufiyan Muqeem, Faisal Akram and Momin Qamar
Pakistan finds itself in the unusual position of having a small but intriguing pool of left-arm wrist-spinners. Sufiyan Muqeem has the strongest numbers of the three and has already shown glimpses of control and consistency, though he has often found himself edged out by more established options like Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq. At times, though, his bowling can appear a touch too flat, lacking the variation needed to consistently trouble high-quality batters.
In contrast, there is something about Faisal Akram that feels more naturally gifted—perhaps the most complete of the trio, with a higher ceiling if developed properly. And then there is the youngest of them, Momin Qamar, still only 19, who has been spoken about in promising terms for a couple of years now. Whether this PSL affords him meaningful game time will be worth watching, because players of this kind are rare—and, in Pakistan’s case, too often fleeting.
For all its flaws, the PSL still compels attention. Not because it consistently delivers, but because it continues to hint at what Pakistan cricket could be—if only it learned how to take better care of its own promise.
